''Hylaeus'' is a large (over 500 species) and diverse cosmopolitan
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
within the bee family
Colletidae
The Colletidae are a family (biology), family of bees, and are often referred to collectively as plasterer bees or polyester bees, due to the method of smoothing the walls of their nest cells with secretions applied with their mouthparts; these s ...
. This genus is also known as the yellow-faced bees or masked bees. This genus is the only truly globally distributed colletid, occurring on all continents except Antarctica.
Description
The
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
bee
Bees are winged insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their roles in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the western honey bee, for producing honey. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamil ...
s consists of generally small, black-and-yellow or black-and-white wasp-like species. The resemblance to wasps is enhanced by the absence of a
scopa
(; ) is an Italian card game, and one of the three major national card games in Italy, the others being and . It is also popular in Argentina and Brazil, brought in by Italian diaspora, Italian immigrants, mostly in the variation. is also p ...
, which is atypical among bees. The body form of this genus is described as hylaeiform (slender); the hairs inconspicuous without magnification; and scopa inconspicuous or absent.
Males have an intermediate glossal shape with a small to distinct median apical glossal point.
''Hylaeus'' carry pollen in the
crop
A crop is a plant that can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence. In other words, a crop is a plant or plant product that is grown for a specific purpose such as food, Fiber, fibre, or fuel.
When plants of the same spe ...
, 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 made 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.
Some species of ''Hylaeus'' have been associated with strong scents. In particular, European species such as ''Hylaeus prosopis'' are characterised by having a strong "lemon-like" scent. Further investigation has attributed this scent to a substance generated by the
mandibular glands of both males and females, composed of
neral and
geranial
Citral is an acyclic monoterpene aldehyde. Being a monoterpene, it is made of two isoprene units. Citral is a collective term which covers two geometric isomers that have their own separate names; the E-Z notation, ''E''-isomer is named geranial ...
. It is believed this substance is used as a defensive secretion and/or a social pheromone.
''Hylaeus'' Subgenera
At least 44
subgenera
In biology, a subgenus ( subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.
In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the ge ...
of ''Hylaeus'' are known in the world. These have been categorized geographically as follows by Ikudome (1989):
*
Australasian Region (19 subgenera): ''Analastoroides'', ''Edriohylaeus, Euprosopellus, Euprosopis, Euprosopoides, Gnathoprosopis, Gnathoprosopoides, Hylaeorhiza, Hylaeteron, Laccohylaeus, Macrohylaeus, Meghylaeus, Planihylaeus, Prosopisteroides, Prosopisteron, Pseudhylaeus, Rhodohylaeus, Spearhylaeus'' and ''Xenohylaeus''.
*
Palearctic Region
The Palearctic or Palaearctic is a biogeographic realm of the Earth, the largest of eight. Confined almost entirely to the Eastern Hemisphere, it stretches across Europe and Asia, north of the foothills of the Himalayas, and North Africa.
The ...
(12 subgenera): ''Abrupta, Dentigera, Hylaeus, Koptogaster, Lambdopsis, Mehelyana, Nesohylaeus, Nesoprosopis, Paraprosopis, Patagiata, Prosopis'' and ''Spatulariella''.
*
Nearctic Region (7 subgenera): ''Cephalylaeus, Hylaeana, Hylaeus, Metziella, Paraprosopis, Prosopella'' and ''Prosopis''.
*
Holarctic Region (3 subgenera): ''Hylaeus, Paraprosopis'' and ''Prosopis''.
*
Oriental Region (5 subgenera): ''Gnathlaeus, Hoploprosopis, Nesoprosopis, Nesylaeus'' and ''Paraprosopis''.
*
Ethiopian Region (4 subgenera): ''Alfkenylaeus, Cornylaeus, Deranchylaeus'' and ''Metylaeus''.
*
Neotropical Region (4 subgenera): ''Gongyloprosopis, Hylaeana, Hylaeopsis'' and ''Prosopis''.
Distribution and status
A significant diversity of ''Hylaeus'' is found in
Hawai'i
Hawaii ( ; ) is an island state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only state not on the North American mainland, th ...
— approximately 64 species are recorded as living there. ''Hylaeus'' are the only bees considered native to the islands and most of those are unique to the island chain; the diversity of this genus is far greater in Hawai'i than in all of mainland North America.
Many of them are species of concern, and some recorded there are possibly extinct. For example, ''H. finitimus'' was last collected 100 years ago, and only ever seen on the island of Kauai.
The Hawaiian bee population and diversity is somewhat fluid — within the past ten to twenty years several ''Hylaeus'' species have been found and identified on the islands as new to science.
[ In October 2016, seven species were officially listed as endangered by U. S. Fish & Wildlife, the first bees to ever be placed on the ]endangered species
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...
list.
North America
America
There are currently an estimated 130 species of ''Hylaeus'' in America.
Several species have been accidentally introduced to the country. This includes: '' Hylaeus leptocephalus'' found throughout the country; '' Hylaeus hyalinatus'' found in urban New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
New York may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* ...
, New Jersey
New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...
and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...
; '' Hylaeus punctatus'' found in central California
Central California is generally thought of as the middle third of the U.S. state of California, north of Southern California (which includes Los Angeles and San Diego) and south of Northern California (which includes San Francisco and San Jose, ...
, Mid-Atlantic states
The Mid-Atlantic is a region of the United States located in the overlap between the nation's Northeastern and Southeastern states. Traditional definitions include seven U.S. states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virg ...
, the Chicago region and Denver area; and ''Hylaeus'' (''Prosopis'') ''variegates'' in the greater New York city region.
One masked bee of interest in the country is '' Hylaeus lunicraterius.'' This bee is only recorded at the Craters of the Moon National Monument
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a U.S. national monument and national preserve in the Snake River Plain in central Idaho. It is along US 20 ( concurrent with US 93 and US 26), between the small towns of Arco and Carey, a ...
, Idaho
Idaho ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain states, Mountain West subregions of the Western United States. It borders Montana and Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington (state), ...
. Little is known about its biology, however it is believed to nest in the crevices and holes in the lava flows.
Hawaiian Islands
A single clade of 64 known ''Hylaeus'' spp. are native to Hawaii.
Phylogenetic evidence suggests that the first ''Hylaeus'' species arrived on the island of Hawaii between 0.5 and 0.4 million years ago. From here, it is believed that descendants of the initial (presumed ground-nesting) colonist separated in order to specialize in the different ecological niches available. This included coastal and dry forest strands ('' H. longiceps'' and '' H. anthracinus''); mid-elevation and montane
Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes of mountains. The alpine climate in these regions strongly affects the ecosystem because temperatures lapse rate, fall as elevation increases, causing the ecosystem to stratify. This stratification is ...
dry shrubland strands (''H. difficilis''); cleptoparasite
Kleptoparasitism (originally spelt clepto-parasitism, meaning "parasitism by theft") is a form of feeding in which one animal deliberately takes food from another. The strategy is evolutionarily stable when stealing is less costly than direct fe ...
strands (''H. inquilina''); and wet and mesic forest wood-nesters. After this divergence, it is believed dispersal to other Hawaiian Islands occurred.[
It is likely that the rapid speciation of ''Hylaeus'' occurred due to open expansion into open niches in novel habitat. Using an equation (''r''=ln''N''/''t)'' developed by other studies into the evolution of Hawaiian groups, it can be calculated that the minimum speciation rate for ''Hylaeus'' on the island of Hawaii is 9.23 species per million years.][
In terms of nesting biology, those that inhabit wet areas nest in stems or wood, while those inhabiting dry areas nest in the ground. Some ground-nesting species are also known to nest in crevices under rocks or within rock walls. Cleptoparasitic species appear to only attack ground or crevice nesters. ''Hylaeus'' species lack features required for digging or excavation; instead, it is likely that the holes they inhabit were initiated by other insects (such as Plagithmysus beetles or Ectemnius wasps).]
In 2024 a new species, '' Hylaeus paumako'', was discovered on the island Molokaʻi.
Hawaiian ''Hylaeus'' species include five known cleptoparasitic species. These are the only known cleptoparasitic colletids.
Canada
There are 20 recorded species of ''Hylaeus'' in Canada, and an estimated 30 different species based on DNA barcoding. There are multiple reasons that extra species may not currently be recorded: colour markings and variations have been traditional identifiers leading to multiple junior synonyms, this genus is easily established outside of its native range, and heteroplasmy
Heteroplasmy is the presence of more than one type of organellar genome (mitochondrial DNA or plastid DNA) within a cell or individual. It is an important factor in considering the severity of mitochondrial diseases. Because most eukaryotic cel ...
is known in some ''Hylaeus'' species which can lead to difficulties with specimen identification.
Australasia
New Zealand
8 species of ''Hylaeus'' are known in New Zealand. All of these species belong to the subgenus ''Prosopisteron''. 6 of these species are endemic.
Endemic species of ''Hylaeus'' are divided into two groups based on a distinctive feature: the form of the apex of the 8th metasomal sternum of males. '' Hylaeus agilis'' and ''H. capitosus'' have a rounded apex, while ''H. kermadecensis'', ''H. matamoko'', ''H. murihiku'' and ''H. relegatus'' have a bifid (deeply notched) apex.[ Two species are ]adventive
An introduced species, alien species, exotic species, adventive species, immigrant species, foreign species, non-indigenous species, or non-native species is a species living outside its native distributional range, but which has arrived there ...
from Australia: ''Hylaeus asperithorax'' and ''H. perhumilis''.[
''H. agilis'' has been recorded nesting in a wide variety of pre-made holes in stems and wood, for example in ''Muhlenbeckia australis'' and ''Ripogonum scandens'', as well as introduced blackberry. Widespread throughout the three main islands, females are known to be aggressive pollen and/or nectar seekers, and have been observed on yellow mistletoe ('' Alepis flavida'') and red mistletoe ('']Peraxilla tetrapetala
''Peraxilla tetrapetala'', commonly known as red mistletoe, is a parasitic plant in the family Loranthaceae, endemic to New Zealand and found on both the North and South Islands. The Māori names for the plant are pikirangi, pirirangi and roero ...
'').[
''H. asperithorax'' is found on the three main islands of New Zealand, as well as the ]Three Kings Islands
3 (three) is a number, numeral (linguistics), numeral and numerical digit, digit. It is the natural number following 2 and preceding 4, and is the smallest odd prime number and the only prime preceding a square number. It has religious and cul ...
and the Chicken Islands, Somes Island
Matiu / Somes Island is the largest of three islands in the northern half of Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. The island is 24.9 hectares (62 acres) in area, and lies 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of the suburb of Petone and the mouth of the Hut ...
, and the Chatham Islands
The Chatham Islands ( ; Moriori language, Moriori: , 'Misty Sun'; ) are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean about east of New Zealand's South Island, administered as part of New Zealand, and consisting of about 10 islands within an approxima ...
. Host plants are a mix of native plants (for example, '' Wahlenbergia pygmaea'' and '' Veronica speciosa'') and introduced plants such as the common dandelion
''Taraxacum officinale'', the dandelion or common dandelion, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. The common dandelion is well known for its yellow flower heads that turn into round balls of many silver-tuft ...
.[
''H. kermadecensis'' is restricted to the ]Kermadec Islands
The Kermadec Islands ( ; ) are a subtropical island arc in the South Pacific Ocean northeast of New Zealand's North Island, and a similar distance southwest of Tonga. The islands are part of New Zealand. They are in total area and uninhabit ...
. ''H. kermadecensis'' has two known host plants: the native '' Scaevola gracilis'' and the introduced flossflower (''Ageratum houstonianum
''Ageratum houstonianum'', commonly known as flossflower, bluemink, goatweed, blueweed, pussy foot or Mexican paintbrush, is a cool-season annual plant often grown as bedding (horticulture), bedding in gardens.
Description
This herbaceous plant, ...
''). This species is also known to nest in previously excavated holes in wood and stems, and has been found using anobiid tunnels. It has been observing nesting in the trunk of '' Myrsine kermadecensis''.[
''H. matamoko'' is a ]South Island
The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
species, found in mid- to southern montane
Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes of mountains. The alpine climate in these regions strongly affects the ecosystem because temperatures lapse rate, fall as elevation increases, causing the ecosystem to stratify. This stratification is ...
areas. Host plants associated with these species include native '' Hebe'' spp., ''Epilobium
''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...
'' spp. and ''Myosotis
''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the Northern Hemisphere, they are colloquially known as forget-me-no ...
'' spp.[
''H. murihiku'' is also a ]South Island
The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
species, with specimens being collected from Fiordland
Fiordland (, "The Pit of Tattooing", and also translated as "the Shadowlands"), is a non-administrative geographical region of New Zealand in the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western third of Southland. Most of F ...
. Little is currently known about biological behaviour and habits of the species.[
''H. perhumilis'' inhabits both the ]North
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating Direction (geometry), direction or geography.
Etymology
T ...
and South Island
The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
. This species once again occupies pre-made holes to nest, and have been collected from both borer holes as well as those found in structures such as buildings and benches. Their host plants are known to be introduced ''Banksia
''Banksia'' is a genus of around 170 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae. These Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes, and woody fruiting "cones" and head ...
'' spp and ''Eucalyptus regnans
''Eucalyptus regnans'', known variously as mountain ash (in Victoria), giant ash or swamp gum (in Tasmania), or stringy gum, is a species of very tall forest tree that is native to the Australia states of Tasmania and Victoria. It is a straigh ...
''.[
]
''H. relegatus'' is widespread throughout the 3 main islands of New Zealand, and also the Chatham Islands
The Chatham Islands ( ; Moriori language, Moriori: , 'Misty Sun'; ) are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean about east of New Zealand's South Island, administered as part of New Zealand, and consisting of about 10 islands within an approxima ...
and Three Kings Islands
3 (three) is a number, numeral (linguistics), numeral and numerical digit, digit. It is the natural number following 2 and preceding 4, and is the smallest odd prime number and the only prime preceding a square number. It has religious and cul ...
. They are known to utilise a wide range of both native and introduced plants across their range. They also utilise pre-excavated holes in wood and stems to nest, including those found in weatherboards and planking. Nests have been known to be parasitized by ''Gasteruption
''Gasteruption'' is a genus of wasps belonging to the family Gasteruptiidae subfamily Gasteruptiinae.
World species
These 64 species belong to the genus ''Gasteruption'':
* ''Gasteruption assectator'' (Linnaeus, 1758) (wild carrot wasp)
* '' ...
'' spp and '' Coelopencyrtus australis''. Prepupae have also been recorded being attacked by '' Melittobia'' spp, and immature bees have been recorded as being killed by mould mites ('' Tyrophagus putrescentiae'').[
]
Australia
There are 173 species of ''Hylaeus'' found in Australia.[ 14 out of 16 sugenera of Hylaeus found in Australia are endemic.
Phylogenetic data currently suggests that ''Hylaeus'' originates from Australia, arising around 30 million years ago. One dispersal event would have led to the species found in New Zealand, and another separate dispersal event leading to the worldwide distribution of species found outside Australasia, with both these events having occurred between 22 and 23 million years ago.][
]
= Subgenera found in Australia
=
The Australian Faunal Directory
The Australian Faunal Directory is an online catalogue of taxonomic and biological information on all animal species known to occur within Australia. It is a database produced by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water ...
lists 20 subgenera as being found in Australia:
* ''Hylaeus (Analastoroides)'' Rayment, 1950: '' Hylaeus foveatus'' (Rayment, 1950)
* ''Hylaeus (Edriohylaeus)'' Michener, 1965: '' Hylaeus ofarrelli'' Michener, 1965
* ''Hylaeus (Euprosopellus)'' Michener, 1965: '' Hylaeus certus'' (Cockerell, 1921); '' Hylaeus chrysaspis'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus dromedarius'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus pergibbosus'' Cockerell, 1926
* ''Hylaeus (Euprosopis)'' Perkins, 1912: '' Hylaeus disjunctus'' (Cockerell, 1905); '' Hylaeus elegans'' (Smith, 1853); '' Hylaeus honestus'' (Smith, 1879); '' Hylaeus husela'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus violaceus'' (Smith, 1853)
* ''Hylaeus (Euprosopoides)'' Michener, 1965: '' Hylaeus amatus'' (Cockerell, 1909); '' Hylaeus cyanurus'' (W. Kirby, 1802); '' Hylaeus lubbocki'' (Cockerell, 1905); '' Hylaeus musgravei'' Cockerell, 1929; ''Hylaeus obtusatus Hylaeus may refer to:
*Hylaeus and Rhoecus
Atalanta (; ) is a heroine in Greek mythology.
There are two versions of the huntress Atalanta: one from Arcadia, whose parents were Iasus and Clymene and who is primarily known from the tales of th ...
'' (Smith, 1879); '' Hylaeus perplexus'' (Smith, 1854); '' Hylaeus rotundiceps'' (Smith, 1879); '' Hylaeus ruficeps'' (Smith, 1853)
* ''Hylaeus (Gephyrohylaeus)'' Michener, 1965: '' Hylaeus sculptus'' (Cockerell, 1911)
* ''Hylaeus (Gnathoprosopis)'' Perkins, 1912: '' Hylaeus albonitens'' (Cockerell, 1905); '' Hylaeus amiculiformis'' (Cockerell, 1909); '' Hylaeus amiculinus'' (Cockerell, 1922); '' Hylaeus amiculus'' (Smith, 1879); ''Hylaeus chromaticus'' (Cockerell, 1912); '' Hylaeus euxanthus'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus theodorei'' (Perkins, 1912)
* ''Hylaeus (Gnathoprosopoides)'' Michener, 1965: '' Hylaeus bituberculatus'' (Smith, 1879); '' Hylaeus philoleucus'' (Cockerell, 1910)
* ''Hylaeus (Heterapoides)'' Sandhouse, 1943: '' Hylaeus bacillarius'' (Cockerell, 1914); '' Hylaeus delicatus'' (Cockerell, 1911); ''Hylaeus digitatus Hylaeus may refer to:
*Hylaeus and Rhoecus
Atalanta (; ) is a heroine in Greek mythology.
There are two versions of the huntress Atalanta: one from Arcadia, whose parents were Iasus and Clymene and who is primarily known from the tales of th ...
'' (Houston, 1975); '' Hylaeus exleyae'' (Houston, 1975); '' Hylaeus extensus'' (Cockerell, 1916); '' Hylaeus halictiformis'' (Perkins, 1912); '' Hylaeus leviceps'' (Houston, 1975); '' Hylaeus nigriconcavus'' (Houston, 1975)
* ''Hylaeus (Hylaeorhiza)'' Michener, 1965: '' Hylaeus nubilosus'' (Smith, 1853)
* ''Hylaeus (Hylaeteron)'' Michener, 1965: '' Hylaeus douglasi'' Michener, 1965; '' Hylaeus hemirhodus'' Michener, 1965; '' Hylaeus murrumbidgeanus'' Houston, 1981; ''Hylaeus riekianus Hylaeus may refer to:
*Hylaeus and Rhoecus
Atalanta (; ) is a heroine in Greek mythology.
There are two versions of the huntress Atalanta: one from Arcadia, whose parents were Iasus and Clymene and who is primarily known from the tales of th ...
'' Houston, 1981; '' Hylaeus semirufus'' (Cockerell, 1914)
* ''Hylaeus (Laccohylaeus)'' Houston, 1981: '' Hylaeus cyanophilus'' (Cockerell, 1910)
* ''Hylaeus (Macrohylaeus)'' Michener, 1965: '' Hylaeus alcyoneus'' (Erichson, 1842)
* ''Hylaeus (Meghylaeus)'' Cockerell, 1929: '' Hylaeus fijiensis'' (Cockerell, 1909)
* ''Hylaeus (Planihylaeus)'' Houston, 1981: '' Hylaeus daviesiae'' Houston, 1981; '' Hylaeus jacksoniae'' Houston, 1981; '' Hylaeus probligenatus'' Houston, 1981; '' Hylaeus quadriceps'' (Smith, 1879); '' Hylaeus trilobatus'' (Cockerell, 1910)
* ''Hylaeus (Prosopisteron)'' Cockerell, 1906: '' Hylaeus accipitris'' (Cockerell, 1914); '' Hylaeus albozebratus'' Michener, 1965; '' Hylaeus amatulus'' (Cockerell, 1922); '' Hylaeus aralis'' (Cockerell, 1916); '' Hylaeus asperithorax'' (Rayment, 1927); '' Hylaeus auriferus'' (Cockerell, 1918); '' Hylaeus basilautus'' (Rayment, 1953); '' Hylaeus baudinensis'' (Cockerell, 1905); '' Hylaeus bicoloratus'' (Smith, 1853); '' Hylaeus bicuneatus'' (Cockerell, 1910); ''Hylaeus bidentatus Hylaeus may refer to:
*Hylaeus and Rhoecus
Atalanta (; ) is a heroine in Greek mythology.
There are two versions of the huntress Atalanta: one from Arcadia, whose parents were Iasus and Clymene and who is primarily known from the tales of th ...
'' (Smith, 1853); '' Hylaeus blanchae'' Rayment, 1953; '' Hylaeus brevior'' (Cockerell, 1918); '' Hylaeus burnsi'' (Michener, 1965); '' Hylaeus chlorosomus'' (Cockerell, 1913); '' Hylaeus cliffordiellus'' Rayment, 1953; '' Hylaeus crassifemoratus'' (Cockerell, 1922); '' Hylaeus cyaneomicans'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus distractus'' (Cockerell, 1914); '' Hylaeus elongatus'' (Smith, 1879); '' Hylaeus eugeniellus'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus flavojugatus'' (Cockerell, 1912); '' Hylaeus frederici'' (Cockerell, 1905); '' Hylaeus greavesi'' (Rayment, 1935); '' Hylaeus hobartiellus'' Cockerell, 1929; '' Hylaeus infans'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus leai'' (Cockerell, 1912); '' Hylaeus littleri'' (Cockerell, 1918); '' Hylaeus mediovirens'' (Cockerell, 1913); '' Hylaeus microphenax'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus minusculus'' (Cockerell, 1913); '' Hylaeus murrayensis'' Rayment, 1935; '' Hylaeus nigrescens'' (Cockerell, 1918); '' Hylaeus perhumilis'' (Cockerell, 1914); '' Hylaeus perpictus'' Rayment, 1935; '' Hylaeus pictulus'' Michener, 1965; '' Hylaeus primulipictus'' (Cockerell, 1905); '' Hylaeus procurvus'' (Rayment, 1939); '' Hylaeus quadratus'' (Smith, 1853); '' Hylaeus sanguinipictus'' (Cockerell, 1914); '' Hylaeus scintillans'' (Cockerell, 1922); '' Hylaeus scintilliformis'' (Cockerell, 1913); '' Hylaeus scintillus'' (Cockerell, 1912); '' Hylaeus semipersonatus'' Cockerell, 1929; '' Hylaeus serotinellus'' (Cockerell, 1906); ''Hylaeus simplus Hylaeus may refer to:
*Hylaeus and Rhoecus
Atalanta (; ) is a heroine in Greek mythology.
There are two versions of the huntress Atalanta: one from Arcadia, whose parents were Iasus and Clymene and who is primarily known from the tales of th ...
'' Houston, 1993; '' Hylaeus subcoronatus'' Rayment, 1935; '' Hylaeus trimerops'' (Cockerell, 1916); '' Hylaeus turgicollaris'' Michener, 1965; '' Hylaeus vittatifrons'' (Cockerell, 1913); '' Hylaeus wilsoni'' (Rayment, 1928); '' Hylaeus woyensis'' Rayment, 1939; '' Hylaeus wynyardensis'' Cockerell, 1929; '' Hylaeus xanthaspis'' (Cockerell, 1910); '' Hylaeus xanthognathus'' Rayment, 1935; '' Hylaeus xanthopsyche'' (Cockerell, 1922)
* ''Hylaeus (Pseudhylaeus)'' Cockerell, 1929: H''ylaeus albocuneatus'' (Cockerell, 1913); '' Hylaeus albomaculatus'' (Smith, 1879); '' Hylaeus hypoleucus'' (Cockerell, 1918); '' Hylaeus mirandus'' (Rayment, 1930); '' Hylaeus multigibbosus'' Michener, 1965;
*H''ylaeus (Rhodohylaeus)'' Michener, 1965
* ''Hylaeus (Sphaerhylaeus)'' Cockerell, 1929
* ''Hylaeus (Xenohylaeus)'' Michener, 1965
Asia
China
21 species have been formally identified and described in China. These are as follows: '' Hylaeus (Dentigera) luna'', '' Hylaeus asiaticus'', '' Hylaeus difformis'', '' Hylaeus dolichocephalus'', '' Hylaeus dorni'', '' Hylaeus fuliginosus'', '' Hylaeus mongolicus'', '' Hylaeus niger'', '' Hylaeus paulus'', ''Hylaeus perforatus Hylaeus may refer to:
*Hylaeus and Rhoecus
Atalanta (; ) is a heroine in Greek mythology.
There are two versions of the huntress Atalanta: one from Arcadia, whose parents were Iasus and Clymene and who is primarily known from the tales of th ...
'', '' Hylaeus potanini'', '' Hylaeus przewalskyi'', '' Hylaeus sibiricus'', '' Hylaeus sinensis'', '' Hylaeus medialis'', '' Hylaeus pfankuchi'', '' Hylaeus floralis'', '' Hylaeus concinnus'', '' Hylaeus nigricallosus'', ''Hylaeus confusus
''Hylaeus confusus '' is a Palearctic species of solitary bee. It is known to nest in reed stalk gall
Galls (from the Latin , 'oak-apple') or ''cecidia'' (from the Greek , anything gushing out) are a kind of swelling growth on the external ...
'' and '' Hylaeus variegatus''.
Japan
23 species of ''Hylaeu''s are formally identified in Japan.[
]
Saudi Arabia
Only one species of ''Hylaeus'' has been formally recorded in Saudi Arabia - ''Hylaeus'' (''Paraprosopis'') ''albonotatus.'' Further surveying of bee fauna is likely to result in further groups being recorded, due to the close proximity of numerous other species and subgenera of ''Hylaeus.''
Ecology
Nesting Biology
''Hylaeus'' nests in premade holes and prefers to nest in wood, but will nest in dead stems, rocks, and earthworm burrows.
When a suitable premade hole is found, it is then divided by transverse partitions of clear cellophane-like material. The inner most cell is the one farthest from the nest entrance, and is characterised by a round distal end in order to fit the hole. Cell volumes are more or less constant. Lateral burrows are not constructed in this genus, but cells are placed end to end in the main nest.
''Hylaeus'' lines their nest with a waterproof and contaminant proof clear cellophane substance that does not melt or dissolve with strong chemicals. They also secrete a substance that protects the nest from fungi and bacteria. This substance is secreted from the mandibles.
Food mass placed in cells is liquid, even watery in some cases. It fills the bottom part of the water-proof cells. This liquid state is due a relatively small amount of pollen deposited in it from the crop. This pollen is then placed in a nectar admixture.
Diet and Feeding
Females gather large amounts of nectar for their semi-liquid provisions, and males feed on nectar. Observations suggest that Hylaeus are specialized in terms of pollen they collect, and near exclusively line their cells with pollen from plants they are specially adapted to. Pollen is carried internally in the crop.
Pollen-grooming movements by this genus to get pollen to the mouth only take pollen from the head and forelegs, with pollen on other parts of the body being lost. It is thought that the internal method of carrying pollen via the crop is an ancestral trait compared to scopal transport that other bees perform.
Pollination
The genus does not possess the same external structures as most other bee species and therefore instead transports pollen and nectar in the crop whilst foraging instead of externally. This makes for an interesting question of whether the species is an effective pollinator as the relative importance of their role as pollinators is unknown.
''Hylaeus'' are considered generalist species, foraging on multiple species but have been documented to frequently visit specific plants within their established area.[ They forage at a high rate of visitation on many plant species and are considered to be an important contributor to pollination.
As this species lacks the external features to collect pollen, they pollinate other flowers when they insert their heads into deep throated flowers to harvest pollen and nectar. This results in excess pollen gathering around their head and thorax on their plumose hairs in which they transport to other flowers.] These physical attributes raise concerns regarding their effectiveness as pollinators as they are unable to carry the same amount of pollen as other bee species and have been observed not coming into contact with the stigmas to effectively pollinate flowers, thus resulting in pollen theft. Additionally, the Hylaeus forage within short distances of their burrows ultimately resulting in pollen limitations within their environment.[ To alleviate this issue and increase their foraging efficiency, they specialise with particular species of plants for short periods of time however, when comparing their pollination effectiveness to other pollinator species like the ant, the Hylaeus is not as effective.]
Contrastingly, a study involving pollination rates within the species ''Hylaeus matamoko'' in alpine areas of New Zealand, depicted a significant increase in pollination rate per visit when comparing to other invertebrate pollinators. It is estimated that the species performs 90-95% of the pollination within the alpine area studied[ with the ''Hylaeus'' also making up approximately 90% of foraging activities within their local environment.
Multiple literary sources indicate that further studies regarding their pollination effectiveness should be performed for each individual species and their respective global locations to determine if pollination rates change within species and to investigate the effectiveness of the genus as a pollinator.
]
Conservation
Nearly half of the ''Hylaeus'' species found in Hawaii are under threat, primarily due to loss and alteration of habitats. An estimated 10 species of ''Hylaeus'' may already be extinct in the Hawaiian Islands.
''Hylaeus hirsutulus'' from Kaua‘i; ''H. angustulus'' from Maui Nui
Maui Nui is a modern Geology, geologists' name given to a prehistoric Hawaii, Hawaiian island and the corresponding modern Biogeography, biogeographic region. Maui Nui is composed of four modern islands: Maui, Molokai, Molokaʻi, Lanai, Lānaʻi, ...
; ''H. kukui'' from Maui
Maui (; Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ) is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2). It is the List of islands of the United States by area, 17th-largest in the United States. Maui is one of ...
and Hawai‘i
Hawaii ( ; ) is an island state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only state not on the North American mainland, t ...
; ''H. crabronoides'', ''H. filicum'', ''H. muranus'' (= ''insignis''), and ''H. rugulosus'' from Hawai‘i
Hawaii ( ; ) is an island state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only state not on the North American mainland, t ...
; and ''H. specularis'' from Hawai‘i
Hawaii ( ; ) is an island state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only state not on the North American mainland, t ...
, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i (and presumedly Maui
Maui (; Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ) is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2). It is the List of islands of the United States by area, 17th-largest in the United States. Maui is one of ...
) all have only been collected and recorded in low numbers. These populations may potentially be under threat, however also exist in relatively large areas, and so may exist in larger populations than currently known. These species require further investigation to conclusively determine their status.
In the past 30 years, only three specimens of '' Hylaeus facilis'' have been collected from the Hawaiian Islands - one from O‘ahu in 1975, one from Maui
Maui (; Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ) is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2). It is the List of islands of the United States by area, 17th-largest in the United States. Maui is one of ...
in 1993, and one from Moloka‘i in 2005. Previous to 1930, this species had been described as widespread and abundant. It remains uncertain why these populations have decreased significantly while substantial habitat remains and closely related species remain abundant.
Hawaiian species ''H. anthracinus'' is known to be affected by the presence of invasive ant species, decreasing both nest success and the number of adults produced per successful nest. The black household ant (''Ochetellus glaber
''Ochetellus glaber'' (also known as the black household ant) is a species of ant native to Australia. A member of the genus ''Ochetellus'' in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, it was Scientific description, described by Austrian entomologist Gusta ...
'') has been observed depredating nests, removing pollen, eggs, larvae and pupae. The African big-headed ant (''Pheidole megacephala
''Pheidole megacephala'' is a species of ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is commonly known as the big-headed ant in the US and the coastal brown ant in Australia. It is a very successful invasive species and is considered a danger to native a ...
'') can co-exist with ''H. anthracinus'' at low densities, however excludes them from ground-nesting opportunities when populations rise. In contrast, the yellow crazy ant ('' Anoplolepis gracilipes'') is known to expand rapidly and remove this species from its range.
In Australia, the presence of commercial honey bees has been found to reduce the fecundity
Fecundity is defined in two ways; in human demography, it is the potential for reproduction of a recorded population as opposed to a sole organism, while in population biology, it is considered similar to fertility, the capability to produc ...
of the endemic '' Hylaeus alcyoneus'', with 23% less nests being made when honey bees were present.
Selected species
Species of ''Hylaeus'' include:
*'' Hylaeus agilis''
*'' Hylaeus alcyoneus'' - banksia bee
*'' Hylaeus anthracinus'' – anthricinan yellow-faced bee
*'' Hylaeus assimulans'' – assimulans yellow-faced bee
*'' Hylaeus facilis'' – easy yellow-faced bee
*'' Hylaeus globuliferus''
*'' Hylaeus hilaris'' – hilaris yellow-faced bee
*'' Hylaeus krombeini''
*''Hylaeus kuakea
''Hylaeus kuakea'' is a species of bee that is endemic to Hawaii and known from only two populations. In September 2016, ''H. kuakea'' and six other Hawaiian yellow-faced bee species were listed for protection under the United States Endangered ...
''
*'' Hylaeus longiceps'' - longhead yellow-faced bee
*'' Hylaeus mana''
*'' Hylaeus nigritus''
*'' Hylaeus punctatus''
*'' Hylaeus sanguinipictus''
*'' Hylaeus sedens''
*'' Hylaeus signatus''
See also
* List of Hylaeus species
References
External links
Worldwide ''Hylaeus'' species Distribution Map
List of ''Hylaeus'' Species
Female ''Hylaeus'' Identification Guide
Male ''Hylaeus'' Identification Guide
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hylaeus (Bee)
Bee genera
Colletidae