Gynandromorph Melissodes bimaculatus

[Emma Briggs]

Hi Beeple! 

We recently came across a gynandromorph Melissodes bimaculatus (see attached photos). The specimen's abdomen appears female, with six abdominal segments and hind leg scopa, but its clypeus is split down the middle with one male and one female antenna! 

Our lab was wondering if it would be worth publishing a short note on this specimen, so I wanted to reach out to see if anyone has found this mutation in this species before, or in Melissodes in general. 

Thanks for your input! 

Emma Briggs 

[Shelby Kilpatrick]

Hi Emma, 

That's so cool! 

Laura Jones (copied) and I co-first authored a gynandromorph description for a squash bee species, Xenoglossa (Peponapis) pruinosa [=Eucera (Peponapis) pruinosa], a couple of years ago. We also reviewed the literature for other reports on gynandromorphs in Eucerini, but only found six published species/specimen records for the tribe. Here is a link to the article, including references for the specific taxa: https://journals.ku.edu/melittology/article/view/13744.

Overall, I think publishing a short note on the specimen would be of value and add to knowledge about the occurrence of gynandromorphs in bees.

Sincerely, 

Shelby

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shelby K. Kilpatrick 
B.S. in Entomology and Agricultural Leadership & Development

Texas A&M University

ePortfolio: https://shelbykkilpatrick.weebly.com/

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[Cory Sheffield]

Hi Emma,

I have posted on a few different gynandromorphs in Melissodes here, the second a female specimen with male genitalia.

https://instagram.com/p/CKUj-1-rlRW/

https://instagram.com/p/CKHobtaMc30/

Cheers,

Cory

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[Michael Veit]

Emma,

I have a specimen in my collection of M. desponsus which is very similar to yours in that the rt. half clypeus is yellow and has a male antenna, the left half of the head is female-like.  It also has six abdominal segments and long female-like scopae on legs that are loaded with pollen.

Michael

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