Hylaeus (bee)
| Hylaeus (bee) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hylaeus sp. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Suborder: | Apocrita |
| Family: | Colletidae |
| Subfamily: | Hylaeinae |
| Genus: | Hylaeus Fabricius, 1793 |
| Subgenera | |
|
many (>45) | |
male H. nigritus
Hylaeus is a large (>500 species) and diverse cosmopolitan genus within the bee family Colletidae.
Description
The genus of bees consists of generally small, black and yellow/white wasp-like species. The resemblance to wasps is enhanced by the absence of a scopa, which is atypical among bees.
Hylaeus carry pollen in the crop, rather than externally, and regurgitate it into the cell where it will be used as larval food. Like most colletids, the liquid provisions are sealed inside a membranous cellophane-like cell lining.
Nests are typically in dead twigs or plant stems, or other similarly small natural cavities, rather than constructing or excavating their own nests as in many other bees.
Species
Species of Hylaeus include:
- Hylaeus alcyoneus - Banksia bee
- Hylaeus globuliferus
- Hylaeus krombeini
- Hylaeus longiceps - longhead yellow-faced bee
- Hylaeus nigritus
- Hylaeus punctatus
- Hylaeus sanguinipictus
- Hylaeus sedens
- Hylaeus signatus
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hylaeus. |
- Worldwide Hylaeus species Distribution Map
- List of Hylaeus Species
- Female Hylaeus Identification Guide
- Male Hylaeus Identification Guide