Osirini

Osirini

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Osirini: //oʊˈsaɪˌraɪnaɪ//

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

Images

Epeoloides pilosulus, m, side, nh, powerline 2018-11-02-12.48.41 ZS PMax UDR (30961532377) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.
Epeoloides coecutiens, f, left, H. N'huijsen, Netherlands 2022-02-08-16.13.35 ZS PMax UDR copy (52353875236) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.
Epeoloides pilosulus, m, face, NH powerline 2018-11-01-17.07.48 ZS PMax UDR (45900431731) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.
Epeoloides coecutiens, f, back, N'huijsen, Netherlands 2022-02-10-16.13.54 ZS PMax UDR copy (52354196919) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.
Epeoloides pilosulus, m, back, nh, powerline 2018-11-02-12.53.25 ZS PMax UDR (30961534907) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.
Epeoloides pilosulus, m,face2, nh powerline 2018-11-01-17.01.52 ZS PMax UDR (45900429221) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

The Osirini is a tribe of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, primarily found in the Neotropics, characterized by their parasitic behavior of laying eggs in the nests of other bees and possessing a unique morphological trait for defense against host bees.

Physical Characteristics

Possess a tiny sclerite embedded in the membrane beneath the head, which possibly helps guard against stings from host bees.

Identification Tips

Look for traits unique to cuckoo bees, such as the sclerite feature and nesting behavior.

Habitat

Exclusively found in the Neotropics with one genus found in North America and Europe.

Distribution

Primarily Neotropical regions; one genus (Epeoloides) found in North America and Europe.

Diet

Parasitic; lays eggs in the nests of other bees.

Life Cycle

Life cycle details are scarce; generally involves parasitism of other bee nests.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid in the nests of host bees specifically in the tribe Tapinotaspidini, with Epeoloides also targeting the melittid genus Macropis.

Ecosystem Role

As cuckoo bees, they play a role in the ecology of their host species, potentially influencing host nest populations.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Some may confuse them with typical non-parasitic bees; they are unique among bees for their parasitic behavior.

Tags

  • Osirini
  • cuckoo bees
  • Apidae
  • Neotropics
  • parasitism