Description of two new species of Lisotrigona (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) from Central India and their nests

Abstract

Lisotrigona darbhaensis sp. nov. and L. kosumtaraensis sp. nov from Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states, respectively, are described along with the additional description of the male of L. chandrai. Lisotrigona darbhaensis nested in the tree trunk of teak (Tectona grandis) while L. kosumtaraensis in the Indian frank incense (Boswellia serrata) and Indian boxwood (Gardenia latifolia). Brood cells of L. kosumtaraensis were arranged in clusters. The colony of L. kosumtaraensis consisted of 921 female and 40 male bees. The detailed studies on male genitalia, metasomal sterna, and morphometry with associated female bees collected from Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh provided conclusive evidence as these bees were found different from the known species of Lisotrigona and new to science. Both the new species are distinct and different from other known species of Lisotrigona. The diversity of Lisotrigona bees in India is rich with six valid species and the action of synonymizing all Indian species of Lisotrigona with L. cacciae is arbitrary.