Andrena (Melandrena) peregrina ( SMITH , 1878)

Andrena (Melandrena) peregrina ( SMITH, 1878) ( Figs 28-35 View Figs 28-35 )

M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: China:Yarkand[=Yarkant]; 1♀,coll.Natural History Museum, London (possible holotype / syntype of L. peregrinus ); India: Ladakh , Leh Tehsil, Rumbak, 3850 m, 1.ix.2015, 2♁♁, 1♀, leg. M. Jacobs, coll. Maarten Jacobs.

R e m a r k s: The status of A. peregrina has been confused. The species was originally described as Lamprocolletes peregrinus, this genus now being recognised as a subgenus of Leioproctus ( Colletidae ) whose members are restricted to Australia ( MICHENER 2007). WARNCKE (1967: 298) recognised this taxon as an Andrena , and as a junior synonym of A. cineraria (LINNAEUS, 1758) . This is the source for the current listing of GUSENLEITNER & SCHWARZ (2002), who also give the type depository as the Natural History Museum in London. Examination of material in this collection produced a female labelled as " Type " in the handwriting of Smith which comes from Yarkand [= Yarkant] in what is now western China (Xinjiang). However, the published type locality is Yangihissár [Yengisar] in East Turkestan [= Xinjiang in western China] ( SMITH 1878: 2) which is approximately 100 km to the south-east of Yangihissár. It is therefore ambiguous as to whether or not this NHMUK specimen is actually syntypic.

Comparison with contemporary specimens from Ladakh show very close similarity. The infuscate wings ( Fig. 32 View Figs 28-35 ) and short male A3 ( Fig. 33 View Figs 28-35 ) suggest proximity to A. barbareae PANZER, 1805 , but the colouration of the metasoma is much to bright and light blue-green metallic ( Figs 34-35 View Figs 28-35 ) as opposed to the dark blue of A. barbareae . Given the taxonomic complexity in the group of closely related species around A. cineraria ( GUEUNING et al. 2020) , no taxonomic action is taken here. However, we consider it likely that the name A. peregrina will ultimately apply to populations in Kashmir, and that the status of A. basifusca COCKERELL, 1930 (described from Uzbekistan and currently listed as a valid species by GUSENLEITNER & SCHWARZ (2002)) will have to be dealt with in future molecular-based revisions. In any case, the material examined here is likely the taxon referred to as A. cineraria by NURSE (1904: 557) who stated that the species was common in Kashmir.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Unclear due to uncertain taxonomic status and treatment as part of a broad A. cineraria concept. Possibly found across mountainous areas in Central Asia, but detailed study using genetic tools is required.