Brachymelecta interrupta
(Cresson, 1872)
Interrupted Digger-cuckoo Bee
Brachymelecta interrupta is a of digger- in the . It occurs in Central America and North America. As a cuckoo bee, it is presumed to be a nest of other , though specific relationships are not well documented. The species was originally described as Melecta interrupta by Cresson in 1872.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Brachymelecta interrupta: //ˌbrækɪməˈlɛktə ɪnˈtʌrʌptə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Distribution
Central America and North America. GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.
Similar Taxa
- Xeromelecta californicaBoth are digger- in the tribe Melectini; B. interrupta has been synonymized under Xeromelecta by some authorities but is currently recognized as valid in Brachymelecta by others
- Melecta speciesHistorical confusion due to original description in Melecta; B. interrupta distinguished by digger- and
More Details
Taxonomic Note
The has undergone taxonomic revision, with GBIF listing it as a synonym of Xeromelecta interrupta while NCBI and iNaturalist maintain it in Brachymelecta. This reflects ongoing uncertainty in the generic placement of this and related melectine .
Nesting Biology
As a digger-, females likely enter nests to lay in provisioned by other , but specific host and detailed nesting biology remain undocumented in the available literature.