A revision of the genus Melissodes Latreille (Hymenoptera, Apidae): A preliminary look

The genus Melissodes Latreille (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in the tribe Eucerini Latreille consists of eight recognized subgenera with a total of 127 species. The largest subgenus Eumelissodes LaBerge includes 72 known species and ranges from southwestern Canada, through the western US and south to Panamá. With few exceptions, the species in this subgenera are oligolectic on Asteraceae, especially Helianthus L. The exceptions are typically generalists that pollinate many families. LaBerge revised this genus in 1961. This research will focus on a revision of the subgenus Eumelissodes and a phylogenetic analysis of the subgenera of Melissodes. Both molecular and morphological data will be included.