Melecta

Latreille, 1802

Mourning Bees, Cuckoo Bees

Species Guides

3

Melecta is a of kleptoparasitic (cuckoo) bees in the Apidae, commonly known as mourning bees. The genus contains at least 50 described . Females are that enter nests to lay , with their larvae consuming the pollen and nectar provisions intended for the host's offspring.

Melecta (Nesomelecta) haitensis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Melecta interrupta var. rociadensis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Melecta interrupta var. rociadensis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Melecta: /mɛˈlɛkta/

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Identification

Melecta are generally robust, hairy bees that resemble their in the Anthophora. They lack the pollen-carrying scopa (brushes) on the hind legs that are present in non-parasitic bees, as they do not collect pollen for their own offspring. This absence of scopal hairs is a key diagnostic feature distinguishing cleptoparasitic bees from pollen-collecting relatives.

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Distribution

The has been recorded in North America (including Colorado), Europe (Denmark, Sweden), and Asia (Republic of Korea). Specific distribution varies by .

Host Associations

Behavior

Females exhibit cleptoparasitic : they enter the burrows of bees (particularly Anthophora ) and deposit in the provisioned by the host. The Melecta larva hatches and consumes the stored pollen and nectar, killing the host egg or larva in the process.

Ecological Role

As kleptoparasites, Melecta function as natural regulators of their species. They do not contribute directly to pollination as do not collect pollen.

Similar Taxa

  • Anthophora of Melecta ; Melecta females resemble Anthophora in size and hairiness but lack pollen-collecting structures on the hind legs
  • BombusMelecta is phylogenetically distant from bumble bees despite some superficial similarities in robust, hairy appearance
  • ApisHoney bees are distantly related to Melecta; molecular places Melecta closer to (Frieseomelitta) than to honey bees

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Sources and further reading