Revision of the genus Brachyhesma Michener (Apoidea : Colletidae)

Abstract

The genus Brachyhesma Michener, 1965, is revised. Seventeen species are recognized including the following 11 species described as new: B. bitrichopedalis, B. cavagnari, B. healesvillensis, B. josephinae, B. macdonaldensis, B. rossi, B, barrowensis, B. dedari, B. longicornis, B. renneri, B. wyndhami. All species have been redescribed. B. dichaeta Michener is considered a synonym of B. hypoxantha (Rayment) and B. colorata (Rayment) a synonym of B. sulphurella (Cockerell). B. (Microhesma) hypoxantha is transferred to the subgenus Brachyhesma Michener, and B. (Brachyhesma) microxantha (Cockerell) to the subgenus Microhesma Michener. B. macdonaldensis has been made the type of a new subgenus, Brachyhesma (Henicohesma).