Epeoloides
Epeoloides coecutiens, females
The jewelry bees ( Epeoloides ) are a genus of the family Apidae within the bees. Of them are so far only two species known worldwide, of which one and one is native to Europe in North America. Jewelry bee brood parasites are at leg bees ( Macropis ) and are therefore counted as cuckoo bees.
Features
Jewelry bees are medium in size, with Epeoloides coecutiens reaches a body length 9-10 mm. They have a dark red and black colored abdomen which carries as well as the legs ( femurs ) large white spots. The bees have adapted to their parasitic way of life no hair brushes ( Scopae ) collect pollen. Head and thorax are finely hairy tight, otherwise the body surface is shiny.
Occurrence
Epeoloides pilosula is distributed in the U.S. in central North America, from Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada and Michigan to the States of New England and south to Georgia. Epeoloides coecutiens occurs in many parts of Europe. In North America, the animals fly in June and July, in Europe from July to August. The North American species is very rare and endangered.
Species
- Epeoloides coecutiens Fabricius, 1775
- Epeoloides pilosula ( Cresson, 1878)