Melitoma taurea
(Say, 1837)
mallow bee, Morning Glory Turret Bee
Melitoma taurea, commonly known as the mallow or Morning Glory Turret Bee, is a solitary bee in the . It belongs to the chimney bee group, known for constructing distinctive turret-like nest entrances. The species is notable for possessing an exceptionally long that extends to the even when folded. It occurs across North America and has been documented in parts of Central and South America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Melitoma taurea: /mɛ.liˈtoʊ.ma ˈtaʊ.ri.ə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from similar long-horned (Melissodes, Eucera) by reduced hairiness and prominent abdominal banding. The extraordinarily long , visible even when retracted, is a unique diagnostic feature for this . Chimney-like turret nests may indicate presence of this or related Melitoma species.
Images
Appearance
-sized with strong on the . Less hairy overall than related Melissodes and Eucera. Possesses an exceptionally long tongue () that, even when folded, reaches all the way to the abdomen—a distinctive trait among bees.
Distribution
North America; documented occurrences in Middle America and South America; presence recorded in Africa (per GBIF, though this may represent range or data anomaly requiring verification)
Behavior
Constructs nest entrances with distinctive turret or chimney-like structures, characteristic of the 'chimney ' group. The extremely long suggests specialization for accessing nectar from flowers with deep corollas.
Similar Taxa
- MelissodesMore densely hairy body; lacks the extreme length of M. taurea
- EuceraMore densely hairy body; males typically have very long ; lacks the extreme length of M. taurea
More Details
Nomenclature note
The 'Morning Glory Turret ' (iNaturalist) suggests association with Ipomoea , though this relationship requires confirmation beyond the name itself.
Distribution verification needed
GBIF records indicate African presence, which conflicts with North range documented in primary sources; this may represent data error, vagrant occurrence, or misidentification requiring further investigation.