Protosmia rubifloris (Cockerell, 1898)

Chelynia rubifloris Cockerell, 1898: 50 [♀].

     Syntype ♀. USA, Washington, Seattle [14 May 1897], by T. Kincaid [USNM no. 24138].

Chelostoma rubifloris edwardsii Cockerell, 1916: 157 [♀]. Synonymy by Michener (1938: 127).

     Holotype ♀. USA, California, Amador County, by H. Edwards [BMNH no. B.M. Type Hym 17a.1962].

Raphidostoma ceanothi Cockerell, 1936: 134 [♂]. Synonymy by Michener (1938: 127).

     Holotype ♂. USA, California, Redwood Highway, Underwood’s Cabins, by Hooker [CAS no. 4256].

Protosmia ribifloris Nelson, Frost, and Nielson, 2021: 8. Lapsus of Protosmia rubifloris (Cockerell, 1898).

Taxonomic notes: Michener (1938: 127) indicated that the type of Chelynia rubifloris Cockerell, 1898, though no lectotype has been designated from the two syntype specimens.

As noted by Michener (1938: 127), Raphidostoma ceanothi is the male of Protosmia rubifloris, and Chelostoma rubifloris edwardsii Cockerell, 1916 represents the size variation within this species.

Distribution in Canada: Nelson et al. 2021 [AB].

The record of this species from northern Alberta by Nelson et al. (2021: 8) is well out of the expected range of this species in Canada. It is likely that the specimen in question is a misidentified female of Hoplitis robusta (Nylander, 1848), a much more widespread species; when proposing the genus Chelostomopsis Cockerell, 1925, Cockerell (1925: 206) noted that Formicapis Sladen, 1916 (the female) also had a process on the clypeus, though it has a different shape. As such, there are no confirmed records of this species in Canada, though it has been found just south of the border of southcentral British Columbia (Western Interior Basin), so likely occurs in Canada.