A revision of the Australian leafcutter bees, previously placed in Megachile (Eutricharaea) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), with descriptions of seven new species
Data files
Sep 07, 2026 version files 602.49 KB
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examined_specimens_Eutricharaea_Corrected_for_Dryad.csv
289.29 KB
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examined_specimens_Eutricharaea_Corrected_for_Dryad.xlsx
310.63 KB
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README.md
2.56 KB
Oct 06, 2026 version files 291.85 KB
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examined_specimens_Eutricharaea_Corrected_for_Dryad.csv
289.29 KB
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README.md
2.56 KB
Oct 08, 2026 version files 311.49 KB
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examined_specimens_Eutricharaea_Corrected_for_Dryad.csv
308.79 KB
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README.md
2.71 KB
Abstract
The species in the subgenus Eutricharaea Thompson, 1872 (genus Megachile) construct brood cells from pieces of leaves or petals cut from a diverse array of plants. Commonly bees in this group are called ’leafcutter bees’. The Australian species, as currently placed in Eutricharaea, are revised and redescribed, and seven additional species are described. New combinations are proposed for two species: Chalicodoma (Hackeriapis) atrella Cockerell, Michener 1965, comb. nov. = Megachile (Eutricharaea) atrella Cockerell 1906; Megachile (Eutricharaea) hampsoni Cockerell 1906. comb. nov.= Megachile (unplaced) hampsoni Cockerell 1906. The following 13 names were synonymized: Megachile adelaidae Cockerell 1910a, syn. nov. = Megachile (Eutricharaea) atrella Cockerell 1906; Megachile phenacopyga Cockerell 1910a, syn. nov. = Megachile (Eutricharaea) chrysopyga Smith 1853; Megachile australasiae Dalla Torre 1896, syn. nov., and Megachile cygnorum Cockerell 1906. syn. nov. = Megachile (Eutricharaea) macularis Dalla Torre 1896; Megachile austeni Cockerell 1906, syn. nov., and Megachile rowlandi Cockerell 1930a, syn. nov. = Megachile (Eutricharaea) pictiventris Smith 1879; Megachile ignescens Cockerell 1929, syn. nov. = Megachile (Eutricharaea) rhodogastra Cockerell, 1910; Megachile cetera Cockerell 1912, syn. nov., and Megachile subserricauda Rayment 1939, syn. nov. = Megachile (Eutricharaea) serricauda Cockerell 1910c; Megachile ciliatipes Cockerell 1921, syn. nov., Megachile detersa Cockerell 1910b, syn. nov., and Megachile quinquelineata Cockerell 1906 = Megachile (Eutricharaea) simplex Smith 1853. We now recognize 33 species.
Phylogenetic analyses of DNA barcode data indicate that the Australian leafcutter bees, as previously placed in Eutricharaea, are not monophyletic and are associated with other Megachile subgenera that also occur in South-East Asia. All descriptions in this paper are accompanied by high resolution diagnostic images and distribution maps. Data on flower visitation and phenology are given. Dichotomous keys to both sexes of the species are provided.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.69p8cz9k6
Description of the data and file structure
File name: examined_specimens_Eutricharaea_Corrected_for_Dryad.xlsx and examined_specimens_Eutricharaea_Corrected_for_Dryad.csv
Description of Examined Specimens column headers:
- Collection specimen repository (State Museum): For acronyms, see paper [text]
- reg.no.: Repository-unique specimen registration number [text]
- BOLD-BIN: Biological index number for DNA barcoded specimens [text]
- BOLD process ID: unique identifier linking to DNA barcode sequence [text]
- genus: Megachile (Hymenoptera) [text]
- subgenus: Megachile (subgenus Eutricharaea) [text]
- species: Known or newly described species name [text]
- sex: Male or female; also indicated if specimen is a holotype or allotype [text]
- locality: Locality description [text]
- state: Acronym for Australian state [text]
- date: Collecting date [date dd/mm/yyyy]
- dec lat: Latitude [in decimal degrees]
- dec long: Longitude [in decimal degrees]
- collectors: Specimen collector(s) [text]
- host plant: Host plant genus or species [text]
- host plant family: Host plant family [text]
empty cells n/a indicate data unavailable
Specimens examined
This study is based on examination of specimens from the following institutions. Their acronyms are used in the database of the examined specimens, which is available as supplementary information associated with this paper:
- AM Australian Museum, Sydney
- ANIC Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra
- BMNH The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- HU Institute für Spezielle Zoology und Zoologisches Museum der Humboldt Universität, Berlin, Germany
- BPBM Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, USA
- OUM Hope department of Entomology, Oxford University, United Kingdom
- MV Museum of Victoria Entomology, Melbourne
- QM Queensland Museum, Brisbane
- SAMA South Australian Museum, Adelaide
- UQIC University of Queensland Insect Collection, Brisbane, at QM
- WADA Department of Primary Industries, Perth, Western Australia
- WAM Western Australia Museum, Perth
- WINC Waite Insect Collection, Adelaide
Changes after Sep 7, 2026: With the .csv version of the data set the .xlsx version is obsolete, there were also unintended additional data sheets in the file
Changes after Oct 8, 2026: Two additional columns were inserted: BOLD-BIN and BOLD process ID.