Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 5810 No. 2: 15 May 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-05-15
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5810.2.2
Page range: 249-294
Abstract views: 147
PDF downloaded: 4

A checklist of bee species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) recorded from the Arabian Peninsula

Hymenoptera section; Natural History Museum; London; Cromwell Road; London SW7 5BD; United Kingdom
Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources; Kuwait City; Kuwait
Reserach Laboratory LR21AGR03; Regional Research Center for Horticulture and Organic Agriculture (CRRHAB) at Chott Meriem; 4042; Sousse University; Sousse; Tunisia
Plant Protection Department; Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries; Samed Ashan; Oman
Hymenoptera section; Natural History Museum; London; Cromwell Road; London SW7 5BD; United Kingdom
Hymenoptera Anthophila Arabia country lists distribution United Arab Emirates Middle East

Abstract

The first checklist of bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) of the Arabian Peninsula is presented. 343 species and 61 genera are included. A further 23 morphospecies and 7 doubtful records are noted. The checklist adds 76 new country records. The United Arab Emirates presently has the richest fauna with 175 species followed by Saudi Arabia (157), Oman (150), Yemen (119), Kuwait (22), Qatar (14), and Bahrain (8). The Arabian fauna shows a clearer overlap with that of North Africa rather than other eastern arid faunas.

References

  1. Al Houty, W. (1989) Insect fauna of Kuwait. Kuwait University, Kuwait, 187 pp.
  2. Almazroui, M., Islam, M.N., Saeed, S., Saeed, F. & Ismail, M. (2020) Future changes in climate over the Arabian Peninsula based on CMIP6 multimodel simulations. Earth Systems and Environment, 4, 611–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-020-00183-5
  3. Alqarni, A.S., Hannan, M.S. & Engel, M.S. (2014) A new species of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Thyreus from northern Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae). ZooKeys, 428, 29–40. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.428.7821
  4. Alqarni, A.S., Hannan, M.S. & Engel, M.S. (2014) First record of the bee genus Compsomelissa in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera: Apidae). The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 90 (1), 37–39. https://doi.org/10.3956/2014-90.1.37
  5. Alqarni, A.S., Hannan, M.S., Gonzalez, V.H. & Engel, M.S. (2012) A new species of Chalicodoma from Saudi Arabia with modified facial setae (Hymenoptera, Msegachilidae). ZooKeys, 204, 71–83. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.204.3228
  6. Alqarni, A.S., Hannan, M.S., Gonzalez, V.H. & Engel, M.S. (2014) Nesting biology of the leafcutting bee Megachile minutissima (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Central Saudi Arabia. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 107 (3), 635–640. https://doi.org/10.1603/AN13165
  7. Alqarni, A.S., Hannan, M.S., Hinojosa-Díaz, I.A. & Engel, M.S. (2013) First record of Chiasmognathus from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 35, 83–89. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.35.5841
  8. Ascher, J.S. & Pickering, J. (2024) Discover Life1397969521s bee species guide and world checklist. Available from: http://www.discoverlife.org (accessed 22 March 2024)
  9. Ascher, J.S., Soh, Z.W.W., Chui, S.X., Soh, E.J.Y., Ho, B.M., Lee, J.X.Q., Gajanur, A.R. & Ong, X.R. (2022) The bees of Singapore (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila): First comprehensive country checklist and conservation assessment for a Southeast Asian bee fauna. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 70, 39–64.
  10. Astafurova, Y.V., Proshchalykin, M.Y. & Schwarz, M. (2019) The distribution of the genus Sphecodes Latreille (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) of the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries with description of hitherto unknown female of S. atlanticus Warncke, 1992 and male of S. dathei Schwarz, 2010. ZooKeys, 872, 13–40. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.872.35361
  11. Baker, D.B. (1996) Notes on some palaearctic and oriental Systropha, with descriptions of new species and a key to the species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae). Journal of Natural History, 30, 1527–1547. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222939600770871
  12. Baker, D.B. (1999) On New Steldine Bees from S.W. Asia and N.W. Africa, with a List of The Old-World Taxa Assigned to the Genus Stelis Panzer, 1806 (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Megachilidae). Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, 46 (2), 231–242. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.4800460209
  13. Ben Khedher, H., Braham, M. & Chaib, I. (2022) The State of the art of the Tunisian Apidae (Hymenoptera: Anthophila). Sociobiology, 69 (3), e8151. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v69i3.8151
  14. Ben Khedher, H. (2024) First checklist of halictid bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Anthophila, Halictidae) of Tunisia. Journal of insect Biodiversity and Systematics, 10 (2), 243–271. https://doi.org/10.61186/jibs.10.2.243
  15. Bingham, C.T. (1898) The Aculeate Hymenoptera Produced at Aden by Col. Yerbury, R.A., and Capt. Nurse, I.S.C. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 12, 101–114.
  16. Blüthgen, P. (1925) Die Bienengattung Nomioides Schenck. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung, 86, 1–100.
  17. Bogusch, P. (2021) The cuckoo bees of the genus Epeolus Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera, Apidae) from the Middle East and North Africa with descriptions of two new species. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 84, 45–68. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.84.67049
  18. Bossert, S. (2017) Description of the female of Clavinomia clavicornis (Warncke, 1980) (Halictidae: Nomiinae), with the species taxonomy and first record from the Arabian Peninsula. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 93 (1), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.3956/2017-93.1.29
  19. Bossert, S., Murray, E.A., Almeida, E.A.B., Brady, S.G., Blaimer, B.B. & Danforth, B.N. (2019) Combining transcriptomes and ultraconserved elements to illuminate the phylogeny of Apidae. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 130, 121–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.10.012
  20. Dathe, H.H. (2009) Order Hymenoptera, superfamily Apoidea. Families Colletidae, Andrenidae, Halictidae, Melittidae, Megachilidae and Apidae. In: van Harten, A. (Ed.), Arthropod Fauna of the UAE. Vol. 2. Dar Al Ummah, Abu Dhabi, pp. 335–432.
  21. De Pauw, E. (2002) An Agroecological Exploration of the Arabian Peninsula. International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Beirut, 77 pp.
  22. Dorchin, A. & Praz, C. (2018) Taxonomic revision of the Western Palaearctic bees of the subgenus Pseudomegachile (Hymenoptera, Apiformes, Megachilidae, Megachile). Zootaxa, 4524 (3), 251–307. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4524.3.1
  23. Ebmer, A.W. (2008) Neue taxa der gattungen Halictus Latreille, 1804 und Lasioglossum Curtis, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Halictidae) aus den VereinigtenArabischen Emiraten. Linzer biologische Beiträge, 40, 551–580.
  24. Engel, M.S. (2004) A new species of the bee genus Eoanthidium with extraordinary male femoral organs from the Arabian Peninsula (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Scientific Papers Natural History Museum, the University of Kansas, 34, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.8434
  25. Engel, M.S. (2008) A new species of Megachile (Eutricharaea) from Western Saudi Arabia related to Megachile walkeri (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Acta Entomologica Slovenica, 16, 151–156.
  26. Engel, M.S. (2009) Two new species of Ammobates from the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, 112 (3/4), 191–197. https://doi.org/10.1660/062.112.0406
  27. Engel, M.S. (2019) On the type locality of Borgatomelissa niveopilosa (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae). Entomologist1397969521s Monthly Magazine, 155, 209–211. https://doi.org/10.31184/M00138908.1553.3945
  28. Engel, M.S., Alqarni, A.S. & Hannan, M.A. (2013) A preliminary list of bee genera in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 12, 86–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2012.08.001
  29. Engel, M.S., Alqarni, A.S., Hannan, M.A., Hinojosa-Díaz, I.A. & Michener, C.D. (2014) Allodapine bees in the Arabian Peninsula (Hymenoptera: Apidae): A new species of Braunsapis from the Sarawat Mountains, with an overview of the Arabian fauna. American Museum Novitates, 3801, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1206/3801.1
  30. Engel, M.S., Alqarni, A.S. & Shebl, M.A. (2017) Discovery of the Bee tribe Tarsaliini in Arabia (Hymenoptera: Apidae), with the description of a new species. American Museum Novitates, 3877, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1206/3886.1
  31. Engel, M.S., Alqarni, A.S., Shebl, M.A., Iqbal, J. & Hinojosa-Díaz, I.A. (2017) A new species of the carpenter bee genus Xylocopa from the Saraway Mountains in southwestern Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae). ZooKeys, 716, 29–41. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.716.21150
  32. Engel, M.S. & Dathe, H.H. (2011) Order Hymenoptera, family Apidae. Tribe Allodapini, genus Braunsapis. In: van Harten, A. (Ed.), Arthropod Fauna of the UAE 4. Dar Al Ummah, Abu Dhabi, pp. 630–635.
  33. Engel, M.S., Hannan, M.A. & Alqarni, A.S. (2012) Systropha androsthenes in Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera: Halictidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 85 (1), 62–64. https://doi.org/10.2317/JKES111117.1
  34. Engel, M.S. & Schwarz, M. (2011) New records and the male of Megachile ventrisi Engel, 2008 (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Entomofauna, 32, 121–128.
  35. Feulner, G.R. (2023) The Mountain Regions of the United Arab Emirates: An Ecosystem Perspective. In: A Natural History of the Emirates. Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, pp. 161–216. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-37397-8_6
  36. Freitas, B.M., Imperatriz-Fonseca, V.L., Medina, L.M., Kleinert, A.M.P., Galetto, L., Nates-Parra, G. & Quezada-Euán, J.J.G. (2009) Diversity, threats and conservation of native bee in the Neotropics. Apidologie, 40, 332–346. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido/2009012
  37. Gadallah, N.S., Brothers, D.J. & Willians, K.A. (2020) Biodiversity of the aculeate wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeate) of the Arabian Peninsula. Zootaxa, 4754 (1), 1–216. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4754.1.1
  38. Gess, S.K. & Roosenschoon, P.A. (2017) Notes on the nesting of three species of Megachilinae in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, UAE. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 54, 43–56. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.54.11290
  39. Ghisbain, G., Rosa, P., Bogusch, P., Flaminio, S., Le Divelec, R., Dorchin, A., Kasparek, M., Kuhlmann, M., Litman, J., Mignot, M., Müller, A., Praz, C., Radchenko, V.G., Rasmont, P., Risch, S., Roberts, S.P.M., Smit, J., Wood, T.J. & Reverté, S. (2023) The new annotated checklist of the wild bees of Europe (Hymenoptera: Anthophila). Zootaxa, 5327 (1), 1–147. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5327.1.1
  40. Ghisbain, G., Rosa, P., Bogusch, P., Brau, T., Carion, F., Manincor, N.D., Devalez, J., Dorchin, A., Flaminio, S., Greil, H., Hölzler, G., Hopfenmüller, S., Kasparek, M., Kuhlmann, M., Divelec, R.L., Litman, J., Maugendre, A., Michez, D., Müller, A., Ortiz-Sánchez, F.J., Praz, C., Radchenko, V.G., Rasmont, P., Risch, S., Roberts, S.P.M., Santerre, R., Schmid-Egger, C., Sentil, A., Straka, J., Williams, P.H., Wood, T.J. & Reverté, S. (2025) The new annotated checklist of the wild bees of Europe (Hymenoptera: Anthophila)—version 2025. Zootaxa, 5736 (1), 1–126. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5736.1.1
  41. Griswold, T. (2013) New Palearctic bee species of Protosmia subgenus Nanosmia (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Journal of Melittology, 20, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.v0i20.4530
  42. Hannan, M.A., Alqarni, A.S., Owayss, A.A. & Engel, M.S. (2012) The large carpenter bees of central Saudi Arabia with notes on the biology of Xylocopa sulcatipes Maa (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Xylocopinae). ZooKeys, 201, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.201.3246
  43. Jaber, H.M. & Marzuki, A. (2018) Environmental diversity in Asir region and irs impact on tourism development sustainability. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 24 (2), 1–6.
  44. Kasparek, M. (2021) The bee genus Pseudoanthidium: Revision of the subgenus Exanthidium with the description of a new species (Apoidea: Megachilidae). Fragmenta entomologica, 53, 333–346.
  45. Kasparek, M. & Griswold, T. (2021) New species of the genus Eoanthidium (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini) from the Middle East link to the Afrotropical and Palearctic Realms, with a key to the Palaearctic taxa. Journal of Natural History, 55 (33–34), 2083–2110. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2021.1977406
  46. Kasparek, M. & Shebl, M.A (2025) Molecular evidence supports the recognition of two distinct species within Anthidium minimum Pasteels, 1969, from the Afro-Arabian zoogeographic region (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Zootaxa, 5725 (2), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5725.2.5
  47. Kasparek, M., Hauser, M. & Schmid-Egger, C. (2023) Taxonomic revision of the Afro-Arabian anthidiine bee Pseudoanthidium ochrognathum sensu lato (Apoidea: Anthidiini) based on morphological and genetic data. Integrative Systematics, 6 (2), 55–69. https://doi.org/10.18476/2023.526995
  48. Kasparek, M. & Monks, J. (2024) Not all male bees possess thirteen antennal segments: New megachilid species from the Afro-Arabian and Afrotropical regions (Apoidea: Anthidiini: Pseudoanthidium) with deviant numbers of segments. Zoology in the Middle East, 70 (4), 306–323. https://doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2024.2411749
  49. Kasparek, M., Schmid-Egger, C. & Roberts, H. (2025) Cryptic and non-cryptic diversity in cleptoparasitic bees of the genus Stelis Panzer, 1806, subgenus Stelidomorpha Morwitz, 1875, with a description of new species from the Arabian Peninsula (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae). Insects, 16, 1030. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16101030
  50. Kather-Bader, A., Amr, Z. & Marafi, M.A.J. (2022) Field guide to the common insects of the State of Kuwait. IUCN, Gland and Environment Public Authority, Kuwait, State of Kuwait, 138 pp.
  51. Klausnitzer, B. (2010) Prof. Dr. Holger H. Dathe als Entomologe und Direktor des Senckenberg Deutschen Entomologischen Instituts anlässlich seines 65. Geburtstages. Beiträge zur Entomologie= Contributions to Entomology, 60 (2), 247–257. https://doi.org/10.21248/contrib.entomol.60.2.247-257
  52. Kuhlmann, M., Ascher, J.S., Dathe, H.H., Ebmer, A.W., Hartmann, P., Michez, D., Müller, A., Patiny, S., Pauly, A., Praz, C., Rasmont, P., Risch, S., Scheuchl, E., Schwarz, M., Terzo, M., Williams, P.H., Amiet, F., Baldock, D., Berg, Ø., Bogusch, P., Calabuig, I., Cederberg, B., Gogala, A., Gusenleitner, F., Josan, Z., Madsen, H.B., Nilsson, A., Ødegaard, F., Ortiz-Sanchez, J., Paukkunen, J., Pawlikowski, T., Quaranta, M., Roberts, S.P.M., Sáropataki, M., Schwenninger, H.-R., Smit, J., Söderman, G. & Tomozei, B. (2013) Checklist of the Western Palaearctic Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila). Available from: http://westpalbees.myspecies.info (accessed 25 March 2024)
  53. Kuhlmann, M. & Pauly, A. (2013) The bee genus Colletes Latreille 1802 in Ethiopia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae). Zootaxa, 3693 (2), 267–292. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3693.2.9
  54. Kohl, F.F. (1906) Zoologische Ergebnisse der Expedition der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften nach Südarabien und Sokótra im Jahre 1898-1899. Hymenopteren. Denkschriften der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse, 71 (1), 169–279.
  55. Lieftinck, M.A. (1977) Notes on the melectine genus Paracrocisa Alfken, with a new record of P. sinaitica Alfken (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae). Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, 37, 125–127.
  56. Lhomme, P., Michez, D., Christmann, S., Scheuhl, E., El Abdouni, I., Hamroud, L., Ihsane, O., Sentil, A., Chrif Smaili, M., Schwarz, M. Dather, H.H., Straka, J., Pauly, A., Schmid-Egger, C., Patiny, S., Terzo, M., Müller, A., Praz, C., Risch, S., Kasparek, M., Kuhlmann, M., Wood, T.J., Bogush, P., Ascher, J. & Rasmont, P. (2020) The wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Morocco. Zootaxa, 4892 (1), 1–159. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4892.1.1
  57. Marafi, M.A.J. (2023) Earliest record of Apis florea Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Kuwait dates from 2005. Entomologist1397969521s Monthly Magazine, 159, 3–8. https://doi.org/10.31184/M00138908.1591.4171
  58. Minckley, R.L. (2013) Trajectory and rate of desert vegetation response following cattle removal. In: Merging Science and Management in a Rapidly Changing World: Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago III 2012 May 1-5; Tucson, AZ. Proceedings. RMRS-P-67. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, Colorado, pp. 316–321.
  59. Minckley, R.L. & Radke, W.R (2021) Extreme species density of bees (Apiformes, Hymenoptera) in the warm deserts of North America. Journal of Hymenoptera, 82, 317–345. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.82.60895
  60. Monks, J. (2021) The topology of a plant-insect visitation network from the Hajar Mountains, Oman. Entomologist1397969521s Gazette, 72, 39–55. https://doi.org/10.31184/G00138894.721.1794
  61. Monks, J. (2023) New Camptopoeum Spinola, 1843 records for the Arabian Peninsula with a key to the Arabian species (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae: Panurginae). OSMIA, 11, 51–58. https://doi.org/10.47446/OSMIA11.8
  62. Monks, J., Polaszek, A. & Al-Jahdhami, A.A. (2024) The bee genus Borgatomelissa Patiny, 2000 (Anthophila: Andrenidae: Panurginae) with description of a new species from northern Oman, and a key to species. Journal of Natural History, 56 (21–24), 674–687. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2024.2350733
  63. Monks, J., Ross, S., Geiser, M., De Prins, J., Sharaf, N., Wyatt, N., Al Rijeibi, S. & Polaszek, A. (2019) A preliminary survey of the insect fauna of the Hajar Mountain Range, Oman. Journal of Natural History, 53 (15–16), 939–963. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2019.1611969
  64. Müller, A. (2015) Palaearctic Hoplitis bee of the subgenus Platosmia (Megachilidae, Osmiini): biology, taxonomy and key to species. Zootaxa, 3936 (1), 71–81. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3936.3.6
  65. Müller, A. (2024) Palaearctic Osmiine Bees, ETH Zürich. Available from: https://blogs.ethz.ch/osmiini (accessed 22 March 2024)
  66. Müller, A. & Griswold, T. (2017) Osmiine bees of the genus Haetosmia (Megachilidae, Osmiini): biology taxonomy and key to species. Zootaxa, 4358 (2), 351–364. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4358.2.8
  67. Müller, A. & Mauss, V. (2016) Palaearctic Hoplitis bees of the subgenera Formicapis and Tkalcua (Megachilidae, Osmiini): biology, taxonomy and key to species. Zootaxa, 4127 (1), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4127.1.5
  68. Müller, A. & Trunz, V. (2014) Palaearctic osmiine bees of the genera Hofferia and Stenoheriades (Megachilidae, Osmiini): biology, taxonomy and key to species. Zootaxa, 3765 (2), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3765.2.4
  69. Norfolk, O. & Dathe, H.H. (2019) Filling the Egyptian pollinator knowledge-gap: checklist of flower-visiting insects in South Sinai, with new records for Egypt. Contributions of Entomology, 69 (1), 175–184. https://doi.org/10.21248/contrib.entomol.69.1.175-184
  70. Odnoletkova, N. & Patzek, T.W. (2023) Water resources in Saudi Arabia: Trends in rainfall, water consumption, and analysis of agricultural water footprint. NPJ Sustainable Agriculture, 1 (1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-023-00006-w
  71. Orr, M.C., Hughes, A.C., Chesters, D., Pickering, J., Zhu, C.-D. & Ascher, J.S. (2020) Global patterns and drivers of bee distribution. Current Biology, 31, 451–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.053
  72. Patlakas, P., Stathopoulos, C., Flocas, H., Bartsotas, N.S. & Kallos, G. (2021) Precipitation climatology for the arid region of the Arabian Peninsula—Variability, trends and extremes. Climate, 9 (7), 103. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9070103
  73. Patiny, S. (1999) Description de nouvelles espѐces de Camptopoeum Spinola, 1843 (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae, Paunrginae). Notes fauniques de Gembloux, 37, 71–76
  74. Patiny, S. (2002) Nouvelles espѐces de Panurginae (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Andrenidae) du sud de l1397969521Ouest-Paléarctique. Notes fauniques de Gembloux, 47, 41–47
  75. Patiny, S. & Michez, D. (2007) Biogeography of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in Sahara and the Arabian deserts. Insect Systematics and Evolution, 38, 19–34. https://doi.org/10.1163/187631207788784012
  76. Patzelt, A. (2015) Synopsis of the flora and vegetation of Oman, with special emphasis on patterns of plant endemism. Jahrbuch 2014 der Braunschweigischen Wissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft, 282–317.
  77. Pauly, A. (2007) Classification des Nomiinae de la Region Orientale, de Nouvelle-Guinee et des iles de l1397969521Ocean Pacifique (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae). Bulletin de l1397969521Institute Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, 79, 151–229
  78. Pauly, A. (2016) Le genre Lasioglossum, sous-genre Ctenonomia Cameron 1903. Available from: http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx??ID=89 (accessed 22 March 2024)
  79. Pauly, A. (2016) Genus Seladonia Robertson, 1918. Atlas Hymenoptera. Available from: http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx??ID=67 (accessed 22 March 2024)
  80. Pauly, A. (2019) Le genre Pseudapis W.F.Kirby 1900. Available from: http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx??ID=83 (accessed 22 March 2024)
  81. Pauly, A., Monks, J. & Polaszek, A. (2023) Two new species of Pseudapis Kirby, 1900 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Nomiinae) from Oman. Zootaxa, 5263 (1), 107–121. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5263.1.6
  82. Pérez, J. (1907) Mission J. Bonnier et Ch. Pérez (Golfe Persique, 1901). II. Hyménoptères. Bulletin Scientifique de la France et de la Belgique, 41, 485–505. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.21339
  83. Pesenko, Y.A. & Pauly, A. (2009) A contribution to the fauna of the Nomioidine bees of the Arabian Peninsula. Fauna of Arabia, 24, 217–236.
  84. Pisanty, G., Scheuchl, E. & Netta, D. (2018) Taxonomic review of the subgenus Andrena (Poecilandrena) (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) in Israel and the Levant. Zootaxa, 4374 (2), 151–188. [http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D10D4808-A8FD-4DE2-B754-E2CEC8651950] https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4374.2.1
  85. Popov, V.B (1951) On the species of Poecilomelitta Friese and Meliturgula Friese (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in Arabia. Entomological Review (SSSR), 31 (3–4), 577–586.
  86. Praz, C., Al-Shahat, A.M. & Gadallah, N.S. (2021) Taxonomic revision of the subgenus Eutricharaea Thomson in Egypt, with a key to species and description of two new species (Hymenoptera, Anthophila, Megachilidae, genus Megachile Latreille). Zootaxa, 5032 (3), 301–330. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5032.3.1
  87. Rasmont, P. (2014) Atlas of the European Bees: genus Thyreus. 1st Edition. STEP Project, Atlas Hymenoptera, Mons, Gembloux. Available from: http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx?ID=258 (accessed 22 March 2024)
  88. Saini, J., Chandra, K. & Kumar, H. (2022) Contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Hylaeus in India, with an identification key and a new species (Hymenoptera: Colletidae). Oriental Insects, 56 (2), 171–186. https://doi.org/10.1080/00305316.2021.1930229
  89. Scheuchl, E. & Gusenleitner, F. (2007) Zwei neue Andrena-Arten aus den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 39 (1), 543–552.
  90. Schmid-Egger, C. (2017) Order Hymenoptera, family Megachilidae. Genus Pararhophites Friese, 1898. Revision of the genus and description of a new species. In: van Harten, A. (Ed.), Arthropod Fauna of the UAE. Vol. 6. Department of the President1397969521s Affairs, Abu Dhabi, pp. 462–476.
  91. Schwarz, M. (2010) Order Hymenoptera, family Halictidae. Supplementary records of the genus Sphecodes Latreille. In: van Harten, A. (Ed.), Arthropod Fauna of the UAE. Vol. 3. Dar Al Ummah, Abu Dhabi, pp. 483–491.
  92. Shebl, M.A., Abdelkader, F.B., Bendifallah, L., Benachour, K., Bataw, A.A., Bufliga, E.M., Osman, M.A. & Kamel, S.M. (2021) The melittology research in Northern Africa and the Middle East: past and present situations. The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology, 82, 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41936-021-00217-y
  93. Shebl, M.A., Alqarni, A.S. & Engel, M.S. (2016) First record of the bee genus Melitta from the Arabian Peninsula (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Melittidae). Zoology in the Middle East, 62 (4), 352–357. https://doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2016.1250713
  94. Straka, J., Batelka, J. & Pauly, A. (2017) Bees of the Socotra Archipelago (Hymenoptera: Anthophila), their biogeography and association with parasites. Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 57, 183–219. https://doi.org/10.1515/aemnp-2017-0118
  95. Taha, E.A., Al-Abdulsalam, M. & Al-Kahtani, S. (2016) Insect pollinators and foraging behaviour of honey bees on Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Saudi Arabia. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 89 (1), 92–99. https://doi.org/10.2317/150402.1
  96. Terzo, M. & Rasmont, P. (2011) Atlas of the European Bees: genus Ceratina. STEP Project, Atlas Hymenoptera, Mons, Gembloux. Available from: http://www.zoologie.umh.ac.be/hymenoptera/page.aspx?ID=192 (accessed 22 March 2024)
  97. Thomas, J., Basahi, R., Al-Ansari, A.E., Sivadasan, M., El-Sheikh, M.A., Alfarhan, A.H. & Al-Atar, A.A. (2015) Additions to the Flora of Saudi Arabia: Two new generic records from the southern Tihama of Saudi Arabia. National Academy of Science Letters, 38 (6), 513–516. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-015-0368-2
  98. Vachal, J. (1899) Contributions hyménoptériques IV. Quelques autres Prosopis. Annales de la Société entomologique de France, 68, 536–537. https://doi.org/10.1080/21686351.1899.12279748
  99. Van der Zanden, G. (1998) Neu Funde einiger wenig bekannter paläarktischer Bienen-Arten (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Apoidea). Linzer Biologische Beitrege, 30 (2), 529–531.
  100. Vassipoulou, S. & Wagner, L. (2011) Roads of Arabia: the archeological treasures of Saudi Arabia. Wasmuth Verlag, Tübingen/Berlin, 308 pp.
  101. Walker, D.H. & Pittaway, A.R. (1987) Insects of Eastern Arabia. Macmillan Publishers Ltd, London, 175 pp.
  102. Warrit, N., Ascher, J., Basu, P., Belavadi, V., Brockmann, A., Buchori, D., Dorey, J., Hughes, A., Krishnan, S., Ngo, H.T., Williams, P., Zhu, C.-D., Abrol, D., Bawa, K., Bhatta, C., Borges, R., Bossert, S., Cervancia, C., Chatthanabun, N. & Orr, M. (2023) Opportunities and challenges in Asian bee research and conservation. Biological Conservation, 285, 110173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110173
  103. Wood, T.J. & Bossert, S. (2025) Primary bee types in the Genoa Museum; A partial treatise with taxonomic and nomenclatural implications. Estratto dagli Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale 1396984945G. Doria1396986481, 118, 267–378.
  104. Wood, T.J. & Bossert, S. (2026) An unusually squat new species of the parasitic bee genus Thyreus from Oman (Hymenoptera: Apidae), with notes on two additional species showing Afro-Arabian distributions. Zoology in the Middle East, 72 (1), 72–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2025.2607749
  105. Wood, T.J. & Cross, I. (2017) Camptopoeum (Camptopoeum) baldocki spec. nov., a new panurgine bee species from Portugal and a description of the male of Flavipanurgus fuzetus Patiny (Andrenidae: Panurginae). ZooKeys, 4254 (2), 285–293. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4254.2.9
  106. Wood, T., Leclercq, V., Schmid-Egger, C. & Praz, C. (2025) A contribution to the knowledge of the genus Thyreus Panzer in the west and central Palaearctic (Hymenoptera, Apidae), with two new species, taxonomic updates, host relationships, and a key to European species. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, 72 (2), 259–302
  107. Yemen Biodiversity (2024) Protected Area | Yemen Biodiversity (chm-cbd.net). Available from: http://www.ye.chm-cbd.net/protected-area (accessed 30 June 2024)

How to Cite

Monks, J., Marafi, M.A., Khedher, H.B., Al-Jahdhami, A.A. & Polaszek, A. (2026) A checklist of bee species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) recorded from the Arabian Peninsula. Zootaxa, 5810 (2), 249–294. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5810.2.2