Svastra obliqua caliginosa

(Cresson, 1879)

long-horned bee

Svastra obliqua caliginosa is a of long-horned in the . It is to North and Middle America. As a member of the Eucerini tribe, it exhibits traits typical of long-horned bees including elongated in males and ground-nesting . The Svastra obliqua is known to be associated with sunflowers and members of the Asteraceae family.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Svastra obliqua caliginosa: /ˈsvaːstra oˈbliː.kwə kaˌlɪ.d͡ʒɪˈnoː.sa/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Males can be identified by their exceptionally long , a defining trait of the Eucerini tribe. Females have shorter antennae and possess a functional . Distinguished from similar long-horned (Melissodes, Epimelissodes) by subtle morphological differences in and facial markings, requiring expert examination.

Habitat

Associated with open where plants of the Asteraceae occur, including sunflower fields and gardens with composite flowers.

Distribution

Recorded from North America and Middle America. Specific range details are limited.

Diet

feed on nectar from composite flowers (Asteraceae). provisioned with pollen collected from plants, with strong preference for sunflower (Helianthus) and related Asteraceae .

Host Associations

Helianthus - pollen sourceStrong preference for sunflower pollen collection
Helenium - pollen and nectar sourceObserved foraging on sneezeweed
Echinacea purpurea - pollen and nectar sourceDocumented visitation to purple coneflower
Tithonia rotundifolia - pollen and nectar sourceMexican sunflower used as forage and male sleeping perch

Life Cycle

Females are solitary ground-nesters, excavating individual burrows approximately the diameter of a pencil. Each female provisions her own nest with pollen and nectar. Males do not participate in nest construction or provisioning.

Behavior

Males exhibit sleeping on elevated perches such as flower stems, typically beginning around sunset. These aggregations are single- clusters formed on suitable vegetation rather than near female nests. Males are highly territorial, defending flower resources from other including and competing .

Ecological Role

Important of Asteraceae and wildflowers. Contributes to of sunflowers and related composite flowers in agricultural and natural settings.

Human Relevance

Valued as a , particularly for sunflower . Subject of concern due to broader declines in native from loss and exposure. Males pose no risk, facilitating close observation.

Similar Taxa

Melissodes agilisBoth are long-horned with male sleeping on flowers; distinguished by subtle morphological features and structure
Melissodes robustiorSimilar male sleeping on Tithonia flowers; requires expert identification to separate
Epimelissodes obliqua expurgataFormerly considered or closely related; taxonomic revision placed some North Svastra into Epimelissodes, creating identification complexity

More Details

Taxonomic Uncertainty

The Svastra has undergone taxonomic revision. Some authorities have transferred North formerly placed in Svastra to the genus Epimelissodes. This may be affected by ongoing systematic revisions of the Eucerini tribe. The Catalogue of Life and GBIF currently maintain it under Svastra.

Male Sleeping Behavior

Males settle on perches as light dims in the evening, with timing modified by temperature and weather conditions. Initial jostling for position occurs before individuals establish stable sleeping spots.