Four new species of Isepeolini (Hymenoptera; Apidae) from northern Chile

Abstract

Background: Cleptoparasitic bees are less commonly collected than their hosts and often more difficult to identify and additional descriptions and treatment of diagnostic characteristics are needed. Results: Four new species of Isepeolini are described from northern Chile: Isepeolus mankalunthata Packer & Graham, new species; Melectoides licancabur Packer & Graham, new species, M. desiccata Packer & Graham new species and M. glaucodontus Packer & Graham new species. Putative host information is provided where possible, comments on the habitats of these bees are made and additional records of the tribe from Chile are listed. Conclusion: Using traps left out for weeks to months in areas where bees are sparse is proving a useful technique to catch rare and undescribed species.