Megalopta sulciventris Friese 1926

Megalopta sulciventris Friese, 1926

(Figures 1D, 6C, 8D, 14C)

Megalopta sulciventris Friese, 1926:129. Lectotype male, French Guiana: Nouveau Chantier, Bas Maroni (ZMB, examined).

(93♀, 14♂). See Appendix 2.

The female differs from that of M. nitidicollis by the weakly impressed longitudinal rugulosities along entire basal area of metapostnotum (Figure 1D); from M. aeneicollis by the metallic green basal area of metapostnotum and by its imbricated longitudinal rugulosities towards lateral portions (Figure 1D); from M. aegis by the metanotum sometimes with pilosity short and plumose, present only on two-thirds of disc, not obscuring the integument in oblique view (Figure 1D) and basal area of metapostnotum metallic green and with strongly imbricated longitudinal rugulosities (Figure 1D). The male differ from those of M. aegis, M. aeneicollis and M. nitidicollis by the glabrous basal portion of F6–F11 raised in relation to remainder of flagellomere surface (Figure 8D); metanotum pilosity present only in two-thirds of disc and not obscuring the integument in dorsal view (Figure 6C); basal area of metapostnotum entirely metallic green or sometimes reddish brown medially (Figure 6C).

Female. (1) Mandible bidentate and with supplementary teeth. (2) Labral elevation with lateral surface slightly raised in relation to central portion. (3) Clypeus with the surface between punctures on basal and central area smooth. (4) Central portion of supraclypeal area with sparse punctation, punctures separated by ≥ 1 pd. (5) Antennae reddish brown. (6) Upper frons conspicuously convex, strongly declivous toward sulcus around median ocellus. (7) Ocellocular distance smaller than the F1 length. (8) Mesoscutum adjacent to parapsidial line densely punctured, punctures contiguous, punctation becoming sparser towards mesoscutal lip (<1 pd). (9) Scutellum with posterior margin raised in relation to anterior margin of metanotum. (10) Metanotum with integument, in oblique view, hidden by short plumose pilosity only in two-thirds of disc (Figure 1D). (11) Basal area of metapostnotum sometimes metallic green; its length at least 0.7× that of metanotum; with imbricated longitudinal rugulosities weakly impressed (Figure 1D). (12) Mesepisternum with contiguous punctation. (13) Metepisternum with sparse pilosity, integument visible through pilosity, posterior upper margin modified into a conspicuously large process covered with velvety pilosity, its diameter at least 0.5× tegula length. (14) T1 with dorsal surface of disc densely punctured (<1 pd), posterior marginal zone smooth between punctures. Male. (15) Scape with diameter gradually enlarging toward the apex. (16) Flagellum reddish brown; F1–F11 not differing in diameter; F2 about as long as F3; F6–F11, in anterior view, with the anterior and posterior margins depressed; in posterior view with basal glabrous area elevated in relation to remaining surface (Figure 8D). (17) Metanotum with integument, in dorsal view, not hidden by short plumose pilosity (Figure 6C). (18) Basal area of metapostnotum variable, reddish brown with green metallic tints or entirely metallic green; its length half of that of metanotum; with longer longitudinal rugulosities medially, rugulosities shorter laterally (Figure 6C). (19) Metepisternum as in the female. (20) 1st and 2nd tarsomeres of foreleg with longest simple setae longer than summed length of three apical tarsomeres. (21) S3 with longitudinal sulcus, posterolateral margin notched. (22) S4 with medial protruding process, profile of process triangular in lateral view; basal portion glabrous; posterolateral margin notched, notch not extending to basal half of sclerite.

Approximate body length: (10.2–14.3); maximum width of head: (3.4–4.4); intertegular distance: (3.5–4.2); length of forewing with the tegula: (10.8–11.8).

BRAZIL. Amapá: Pedra Branca do Amapari, Ferreira Gomes, Serra do Navio. Amazonas: Barcelos, Beruri, Ipixuna, Manaus, Presidente Figueiredo. Pará: Altamira, Belém, Oriximiná. Roraima: Amajari. FRENCH GUIANA. Saint- Laurent-du-Maroni: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. SURINAME. Brokopondo: Sarakreek. Nickeri: Wageningen. Sipaliwini: Coeroeni, Coppename, Kabalebo, Sarakreek (Figure 14C).

The amoena species group

The amoena species group includes M. amoena, M. chaperi, M. guimaraesi and M. mura sp. n. Its species can be recognized by the following characters: posterior upper margin of metepisternum modified into a conspicuously large process covered with velvety pilosity, its diameter at least 0.75× the tegula length (except in the female of M. amoena); male E3 centrally in the apex with sinuous notch adjacent to expanded area of sternum (Figure 8A ‒ C).

M. amoena is widely distributed (Figure 14D), M. chaperi is restricted to north of the Amazonas and Negro rivers (Figure 15A), M. guimaraesi to the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado and M. mura sp. n. to north-western South America (Figure 15B).