Augochlora pura mosieri

Cockerell, 1922

Augochlora pura mosieri is a of the solitary sweat Augochlora pura, described by Cockerell in 1922. As a member of the , it exhibits the metallic green coloration typical of the Augochlorini tribe. Like other Augochlora pura , it is solitary, nesting in rotting wood galleries rather than soil. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader range in eastern North America.

Augochlora pura mosieri by (c) Eridan Xharahi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eridan Xharahi. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pure Green Augochlora - Augochlora pura mosieri, Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Augochlora pura mosieri: /aʊˈɡɒklɔːrə ˈpjʊərə moʊˈzɪəri/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Cannot be reliably distinguished from other Augochlora pura or from Augochlorella and Augochloropsis by appearance alone; requires microscopic examination of morphological characters. Males lack pollen- on hind legs. Females carry pollen in brushes of hairs (scopae) on hind legs, distinguishing them from () which do not collect pollen.

Images

Habitat

Associated with rotting wood for nesting; found in forested and semi-open where decaying wood and flowering plants are available.

Distribution

Eastern North America; exact range of this relative to nominate A. p. pura is not specified in available sources.

Seasonality

Active in summer; observed in mark-recapture studies during July-August 2020 in North Carolina.

Diet

feed on nectar from flowers; provisioned with pollen and nectar. Adults have been observed sweat from humans for salt, with NaCl solutions demonstrated to be highly attractive.

Life Cycle

Solitary nesting in galleries in rotting wood (including pre-existing galleries). Female constructs within galleries, provisions each with pollen and nectar balls, lays single per cell. consume provisions, pupate within cells, and emerge as . No ; each female independently provisions her own offspring.

Behavior

Solitary nesting . Females forage for pollen and nectar to provision offspring. occasionally lap sweat from human skin to obtain salts. Docile and reluctant to ; defensive stinging requires prolonged provocation. Males perch on vegetation to watch for females.

Ecological Role

of flowering plants; has been recorded visiting more than 40 different . Contributes to services in natural and garden .

Human Relevance

Occasionally visits humans to collect sweat salts; poses minimal risk due to solitary nature and docile temperament. Subject of mark-recapture studies evaluating sampling methodologies.

Similar Taxa

Augochlorella spp.Virtually identical metallic green appearance; microscopic examination required for separation.
Augochloropsis spp.Virtually identical metallic green appearance; microscopic examination required for separation.
Agapostemon spp.Similar metallic green coloration; males of Agapostemon have banded black and rather than metallic coloration, and females often have distinct hair banding patterns.
Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps)Similar metallic coloration; distinguished by (seldom on flowers, quick jerky movements), lack of pollen- structures, and -like body form.

More Details

Taxonomic Status

Recognized as a valid by Catalogue of Life, though detailed diagnostic features distinguishing it from nominate A. p. pura are not provided in available sources.

Research Significance

Included in mark-recapture studies validating sampling protocols, demonstrating that aerial netting better reflects abundance than pan traps for this .