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:

External links

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