Melissodes desponsus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Apinae
Tribe: Eucerini
Genus: Melissodes
Species: desponsus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Melissodes desponsus: /mɛˈlɪsoʊdiːz dɛsˈpɒnsəs/

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Summary

Melissodes desponsus, known as the eastern thistle longhorn bee, is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. They are ground-nesting, solitary bees active from June to October, primarily associated with Cirsium thistles.

Physical Characteristics

Females: 12-13.5 mm, with distinctive orange scopae on hind legs and often covered with white Cirsium pollen. Males: 11-13.5 mm, with longer antennae and yellow clypei. Pale yellow thoraxes and black abdomens.

Identification Tips

Look for distinctive orange scopae on females' hind legs. Males can be identified by their longer antennae and yellow clypei.

Habitat

Cirsium thistles are primary host plants for these bees; they typically nest in the ground.

Distribution

Found across northeastern United States, reaching into southern Canada. Distribution includes areas from North Dakota to Nova Scotia, and south to Oklahoma, Alabama, and North Carolina.

Diet

Primarily foraging on Cirsium flowers; their diet consists mainly of nectar and pollen from these plants.

Life Cycle

Active during mid-to-late summer; specific life cycle details are not provided.

Reproduction

Solitary reproductive behavior; specific details on reproduction are not provided.

Conservation Status

Listed as vulnerable or imperiled by several regional sources; widely documented conservation status is lacking.

Ecosystem Role

Pollinators of Cirsium thistles; contribute to local ecology by facilitating plant reproduction.

Evolution

The species has several synonymous scientific names; described by Frederick Smith in 1854.