|
Epeolus
''Epeolus'' is a genus of cuckoo bees of the tribe Epeolini, the subfamily Nomadinae part of the honey bee family Apidae. They are often known as variegated cuckoo-bees. Biology The species within ''Epeolus'' are medium-sized bees with bright patterns. There are currently approximately 100 species described from throughout the world. All known species of ''Epeolus'' are cleptoparasites of mining bees of the genus '' Colletes''. The female enters the nesting excavated by the female ''Colletes'' bee and lays an egg in an unsealed cell. The ''Epeolus'' larva then consumes the egg of the host bee and then feeds on the pollen the ''Colletes'' bee provisioned the cell with for her offspring. ''Epeolus'' bees may be rather obvious and easily observed in the vicinity of the nesting aggregations of their hosts and often use the same flowers to feed on. ''Colletes'' bees line their nesting cells with a cellophane like covering which they exude from the Dufour's gland to protect the cell ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Epeolus Australis
''Epeolus'' is a genus of cuckoo bees of the tribe Epeolini, the subfamily Nomadinae part of the honey bee family Apidae. They are often known as variegated cuckoo-bees. Biology The species within ''Epeolus'' are medium-sized bees with bright patterns. There are currently approximately 100 species described from throughout the world. All known species of ''Epeolus'' are cleptoparasites of mining bees of the genus ''Colletes''. The female enters the nesting excavated by the female ''Colletes'' bee and lays an egg in an unsealed cell. The ''Epeolus'' larva then consumes the egg of the host bee and then feeds on the pollen the ''Colletes'' bee provisioned the cell with for her offspring. ''Epeolus'' bees may be rather obvious and easily observed in the vicinity of the nesting aggregations of their hosts and often use the same flowers to feed on. ''Colletes'' bees line their nesting cells with a cellophane like covering which they exude from the Dufour's gland to protect the cell fro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
