Biology:Leioproctus eremitulus

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Short description: Species of bee

Leioproctus eremitulus
Female
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Colletidae
Genus: Leioproctus
Species:
L. eremitulus
Binomial name
Leioproctus eremitulus
Houston, 1990[1][2]

Leioproctus eremitulus, or Leioproctus (Leioproctus) eremitulus, is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and subfamily Colletinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described by Australian entomologist Terry Houston in 1990.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific epithet eremitulus (Latin: "of the desert") is a habitat and forage plant reference.[1]

Description

The male holotype body length is about 6.5 mm, head width 1.85 mm; female paratype body length is about 8 mm, head width 2.25 mm. Integumental colouration is mainly black; the hair is white to off-white and buff.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in arid central Australia. The type locality is 45 km east-north-east of Dalhousie Homestead, in the Far North region of South Australia.[1][2]

Behaviour

The adults are flying mellivores. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Eremophila freelingii and Ruellia species.[1][2]

Male
Eremophila freelingii (rock fuchsia bush), a forage plant of the bees

References

Wikidata ☰ {{{from}}} entry