Blueberry Digger Bee
Habropoda laboriosa
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Apidae
- Subfamily: Apinae
- Tribe: Anthophorini
- Genus: Habropoda
- Species: laboriosa
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Habropoda laboriosa: /hæbˈrɒpədə læˌbɔːriˈoʊsə/
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Summary
Habropoda laboriosa, also known as the Southeastern Blueberry Bee, is a solitary species of bee and a crucial pollinator for blueberry plants in the eastern United States. Active for a few weeks in early spring, it exhibits unique buzz pollination behavior, essential for blueberry fertilization.
Physical Characteristics
Females range from 15.5 mm to 16 mm in length; males are smaller, ranging from 13 mm to 14 mm. Females have a completely black head, whereas males have a black head with a yellow clypeus. They exhibit segmented bodies consisting of head, thorax, and abdomen.
Identification Tips
Resemble bumble bees but are smaller in size. The presence of buzzing behavior during pollination is characteristic of this species.
Habitat
Nests in warm, humid conditions in moderately dry and sandy soils, often found at a depth of 33 to 71 cm. Preference for areas covered in leaf litter with low moisture.
Distribution
Native to the eastern United States, from Illinois to New England, south to Mississippi and Florida. Occasionally found in Quebec and Ontario, Canada.
Diet
Primarily pollinates blueberry plants (Vaccinium ashei) and is a specialist for this genus. Also associated with Gelsemium sempervirens.
Life Cycle
Active for only a few weeks during early spring from late February to April, producing one generation of offspring per year. H. laboriosa are solitary ground nesting bees that dig their own tunnels.
Reproduction
The mother bee provides food and nutrients solely for her own brood. Females only produce one generation of offspring per year.
Predators
Nests can be disturbed or invaded by ant species such as Iridomyrmex humilis and cleptoparasitic bees in the genus Melecta.
Ecosystem Role
Considered a highly efficient pollinator for southern rabbiteye blueberries, crucial for the reproductive success of these plants.
Economic Impact
Estimated that each female visits nearly 50,000 Vaccinium ashei flowers in her lifetime, producing over 6,000 ripe blueberries with a fresh market value of approximately $20 U.S.
Misconceptions
Often incorrectly referred to simply as 'bee', which does not convey the specificity among bee specialists on blueberry in the Southeast USA.
Tags
- pollinator
- solitary bee
- Hymenoptera
- Apidae
- Habropoda laboriosa