An enigmatic Anthophorine bee from the south of France revealed as a new species: Anthophora (Paramegilla) ahlamae n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

A bee specimen identified as Anthophora planca Pérez, 1895, from France, was discovered in collections of Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin. This male specimen presents a morphology that does not conform to any of the Anthophora Latreille, 1803 species known from France, or indeed from Europe. After careful examination, it cannot be identified as Anthophora planca Pérez which is considered to be a nomen dubium (type lost), but furthermore it does not belong to any currently described species. Additional specimens of this species were collected in Morocco, Spain (Melilla) and Algeria. The new species is named Anthophora (Paramegilla) ahlamae Rasmont & Wood, n. sp. The new species is documented by numerous high-resolution photographs. Its diagnosis is compared with the near species Anthophora (Paramegilla) gallica (Dalla Torre & Friese, 1895) and A. (Paramegilla) podagra Lepeletier, 1841. DNA barcodes data are presented, allowing for confirmation of placement within the subgenus Paramegilla Friese, Citation1897. A detailed distribution map is provided along with ecological observations. Anthophora ahlamae n. sp. may be specialised on flowers of the genus Ballota L. (Lamiaceae).

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