Brachymelecta interrupta
(Cresson, 1872)
Interrupted Digger-cuckoo Bee
Brachymelecta interrupta is a of digger-cuckoo bee in the Apidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. As a cuckoo bee, it is presumed to be a nest of other bees, 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//
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Distribution
Central America and North America. GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.
Similar Taxa
- Xeromelecta californicaBoth are digger-cuckoo bees 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-cuckoo bee 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 bees.
Nesting Biology
As a digger-cuckoo bee, females likely enter nests to lay in provisioned by other bees, but specific host and detailed nesting remain undocumented in the available literature.