Taxonomy of Egyptian Members of Wool Carder Bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Megachilinae: Anthidiini) Based on Morphological Variations

Abstract

Tribe Anthidiini (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Megachilinae) is composed of intriguing solitary bees that are cosmopolitan in distribution (widely distributed in all continents, except Antarctica). This family includes the mason and leafcutter. The name carder bee may be referred to the female of this tribe are scrapes and collects the soft downy hairs (trichomes) of some plants to build their nest to lay eggs and for her youngThe wool carder bees are represented in Egypt by seventeen species within five genera. Taxonomic keys were established for genera of the tribe and species of genera whenever needed. Verbal descriptions accompanied by detailed illustrations and photographs were presented. The distribution of species in Egypt and the world was presented. The classification of the tribe updated and received changes according to the recent publication and examination of the Egyptian entomological collections and fauna. Some taxonomic updates were carried out during the present study e.g., Anthidium karschi Friese, 1899 dropped as a synonym for Afranthidium alternans (Klug,1832); Anthidium alternans Klug, 1832 transferred to genus Afranthidium.