New Zealand Entomologist (2010) 33(1): 17–18
©New Zealand Entomological Society, Inc.

Research article
The New Zealand native bee Leioproctus (Leioproctus) otautahi Donovan (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae) is synonymous with Leioproctus (Leioproctus) launcestonensis (Cockerell) from Australia

Barry J. Donovan ^*1 and Glynn V. Maynard <sup>2

1</sup> Donovan Scientific Insect Research, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand. Ph. 64 3 3256400, Fax 64 3 3252074. E-mail: barry.donovan@plantandfood.co.nz
² Glynn V. Maynard, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, GPO Box 858, Canberra, Australia
^*Corresponding author.

Abstract: Morphological comparison of the New Zealand holotype male of the colletid bee Leioproctus (Leioproctus) otautahi with a male of Leioproctus (Leioproctus) launcestonensis from Australia shows that the two are conspecific. Hence this is a new synonymy, with L. (L.) launcestonensis having priority. Because no further specimens are known from New Zealand since the collection of the single male 50 years ago, the species is almost certainly not established, and the number of species of Leioproctus known from New Zealand is reduced by one to 17.
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