Melissodes rivalis

Cresson, 1872

rival long-horned bee, Western Thistle Longhorn Bee

Melissodes rivalis is a solitary long-horned bee in the Apidae, native to northern North America. Males are distinguished by that may exceed their body length. Females construct individual underground nests and provision them with pollen, while males form sleeping on flower . The has been documented pollinating thistles (Cirsium sp.).

Melissodes rivalis,m,side,Lincoln Co, WY 2016-02-25-11.36 (31538648665) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Melissodes rivalis,m,back,Lincoln Co, WY 2016-02-25-11.13 (30729611873) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Melissodes rivalis,m,face,Lincoln Co, WY 2016-02-25-11.24 (27609025450) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Melissodes rivalis: //mɛˈlɪs.oʊˌdiːz ˈraɪvəlɪs//

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Identification

Males have occasionally longer than the body, a diagnostic trait of the Eucerini tribe. Body length 11–14 mm from to . Elongated body form resembling a smaller . Dark gray abdomen with white or cream-colored hair bands. Hyaline wings with faintly clouded beige margins. Dense setae on body and legs for pollen collection.

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Habitat

Open in northern regions. Females nest in burrows dug under bushes or brush vegetation, lined with wax-like material.

Distribution

Native to Montana; recorded in Idaho, Wyoming, Minnesota, and southern Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Diet

forage for nectar and pollen. Has been observed pollinating Cirsium sp. (thistles).

Life Cycle

Females construct single-celled underground nests, each containing one provisioned with a pollen ball. Nests are typically isolated but may occur in loose . Developmental details beyond nesting not documented.

Behavior

Solitary; females work alone without colony assistance. Males sleep in on flower , inferred from related to provide warmth and protection. Males cannot sting. Females may sting if handled.

Ecological Role

Native , documented visiting thistles.

Similar Taxa

  • Melissodes agilisSympatric with nearly identical male sleeping and ; distinguished by subtle structural differences requiring expert identification.
  • Melissodes robustiorSympatric with similar male sleeping on flowers; identification requires examination of specific morphological characters.
  • Svastra obliquaRelated long-horned bee with similar male roosting ; belongs to different but may co-occur in same .

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Sources and further reading