Notes on the type specimen of Trigona limao Smith (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Lestrimelitta). The name limao has been loosely associated with a variety of forms within the bee genus Lestrimelitta. The identity of the type species was checked through comparisons of Smith's type material with the morphospecies recognized in an ongoing revision of the Brazilian species. Lestrimelitta limao is a species restricted to the cerrados of central Brazil, distributed from São Paulo to Maranhão. It can be distinguished from other species by the following features: vertex almost lacking erect setae; erect setae on anterior margin of mesoscutum restricted to its lateral portions and almost lacking from the middle; lateral portion of mesepisternum with only short, decumbent microsetae; opening of propodeal spiracle with an oval contour, about 2.5x longer than wide; lateral portion of propodeum covered by dense whitish decumbent pubescence, setae short and mostly plumose; midtibial spur vestigial; metasomal tergum 1 with erect setae on its lateral portions. A lectotype is designated for Trigona limao Smith, 1863.
Brazil; Meliponina; Neotropical; stingless bee; taxonomy
