Biology:Melissodes verbesinarum

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Short description: Species of bee

Melissodes verbesinarum
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Melissodes
Species:
M. verbesinarum
Binomial name
Melissodes verbesinarum
Cockerell, 1905

Melissodes verbesinarum is a species of long-horned bees found in the south western United States and central Mexico.

Description

Females are identifiable by being more robust than other Melissodes; darker hairs on inner side of basal joint of hind tarsi; flagellum, after the first two joints, bright rusty color on the underside; basal band of second abdominal (T2) segment broad and very white; hairs of thorax are paler near the head; eyes pale sea-green. Appears similar to easily be taken for an undersized M. pallidicincta, but the much narrower face at once distinguishes it.[1]

Ecology

M. verbesinarum nectars on Helianthus annuus without pollinating it.[2]

References

  1. โ†‘ Cockerell, T. D. A. (1908-12-31). "Notes upon Variation of Melissodes lupina Cresson". Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 22: 305. doi:10.2307/3624738. ISSN 0022-8443. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3624738. 
  2. โ†‘ Hurd, Paul David; LeBerge, Wallace E.; Linsley, E. Gorton (1980). "Principal sunflower bees of North America with emphasis on the Southwestern United States (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)" (in en). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology (310): 1โ€“158. doi:10.5479/si.00810282.310. https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/5299. 

Wikidata ☰ Q2631358 entry