Kuhlmann, Michez & Kuhlmann & Dellicour, 2014

Plesiomelitta Michez & Kuhlmann , new subgenus

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:

TYPE SPECIES: Melitta ( Plesiomelitta) schultzei Friese .

DIAGNOSIS: After Dellicour et al. (2014): Plesiomelitta shares features with the subgenera Melitta s.str. and Afromelitta ( vide supra) such as the apical projection on the female metabasitarsus and the elongate digitus of the male genitalia. The subgenus exhibits a unique combination of the following traits: galea apically pointed, outer surface matt and sculptured; disc of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum smooth and shiny between punctures; basal area of propodeum shiny; female pygidial plate flat; male metasomal sternum VII with long, blade-shaped apicolateral structures; male metasomal sternum VIII with apical spine; gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa and apically truncate.

ETYMOLOGY: The new genus-group name is a combination of plesios (meaning, “near”) and the generic name Melitta . The gender of the name is feminine.

INCLUDED SPECIES: In addition to the type species, Plesiomelitta also includes M. barbarae Eardley and M. avontuurensis n. sp.