Biology:Leioproctus exleyae

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Short description: Species of bee

Leioproctus exleyae
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Colletidae
Genus: Leioproctus
Species:
L. exleyae
Binomial name
Leioproctus exleyae
Maynard 2013[1][2]

Leioproctus exleyae, or Leioproctus (Charicolletes) exleyae, is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and subfamily Colletinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described by Australian entomologist Glynn Maynard in 2013.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific epithet exleyae honours entomologist Elizabeth Exley.[1]

Description

Female body length is about 10 mm, male body length 9 mm. Integumental colouration is orange to mottled orange to black. The hair is mostly white.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in eastern inland Australia. The type locality is 120 km north of Innamincka, South Australia.[2]

Angophora floribunda (rough-barked apple), a forage plant of the bees, in flower

Behaviour

The adults are flying mellivores. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Portulaca oleracea, Tribulus occidentalis, Eucalyptus argillacea, Eucalyptus melanophloia, Eucalyptus largiflorens, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus intertexta and Angophora floribunda, as well as Acacia species.[1][2]

Eucalyptus largiflorens (black box), a forage plant of the bees

References

Wikidata ☰ {{{from}}} entry