Osmia (Melanosmia) steinmanni sp. n., a new bee species from the Swiss Alps (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Megachilidae)

Abstract

Osmia (Melanosmia) steinmanni sp. n. is described, illustrated and compared to other European species of the subgenus Melanosmia. It is morphologically most closely related to O. svenssoni Tkalců, 1983 hitherto recorded only from northern Sweden. O. steinmanni is known from two localities in eastern Switzerland situated in the subalpine and alpine zone of the Alps. It was found on stony slopes exposed to the south-east. Known pollen sources are Hippocrepis comosa and Lotus corniculatus (both Fabaceae).