Epeoloides

Giraud, 1863

Macropis Cuckoo Bee

Species Guides

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Epeoloides is a of kleptoparasitic (cuckoo) bees in the Apidae, tribe Osirini. The genus comprises two known : Epeoloides coecutiens (Fabricius, 1775) in Europe and Epeoloides pilosulus (Cresson, 1878) in North America. Both species are nest of oil-collecting bees in the genus Macropis (Melittidae), which themselves are specialized of oil-producing flowers in the genus Lysimachia. This tripartite ecological dependency—between flower, , and parasite—makes Epeoloides one of the rarest and most vulnerable bee genera in the Holarctic region.

Epeoloides by (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Epeoloides pilosulus by (c) Matt Pelikan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Pelikan. Used under a CC-BY license.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.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Epeoloides: /ˌɛpiːoʊˈlaɪdiːz/

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Identification

Epeoloides can be distinguished from other cleptoparasitic bees by their association with Macropis and their relatively large size among Osirini. The two species are geographically separated: E. coecutiens occurs in Europe while E. pilosulus is restricted to North America. Females of Epeoloides possess adaptations for locating host nests by detecting floral oil odors, a trait suggested by studies of related European species.

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Habitat

supporting of Macropis bees and their obligate plant Lysimachia, particularly wetlands and moist meadows where oil-producing Lysimachia occur. The is indirectly dependent on oil-producing flowers of the genus Lysimachia (Primulaceae), as their hosts require these plants for survival.

Distribution

Holarctic distribution with two disjunct : Epeoloides coecutiens in Europe (including Finland, Estonia, and other parts of northwestern Europe, with range expansion noted since approximately 1970), and Epeoloides pilosulus in North America. E. pilosulus has been recorded from Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, Connecticut, New York, Maine, and Michigan, with rediscoveries in the early 2000s after being presumed extinct in some regions.

Diet

feed on nectar. Larvae are obligate kleptoparasites that consume the pollen and oil provisions stored by Macropis bees for their own offspring.

Host Associations

  • Macropis - obligate nest Principal ; E. coecutiens associated with M. europaea and M. fulvipes in Europe, E. pilosulus with M. nuda and M. patellata in North America
  • Lysimachia - indirect dependency plant of Macropis bees; Epeoloides indirectly dependent on oil-producing Lysimachia flowers

Life Cycle

Kleptoparasitic : females locate nests and lay in provisioned by Macropis bees. First instar larvae have an unusually short stadium, with second instar larvae killing the host egg or larva. Development continues using the host's stored provisions of pollen and floral oils.

Behavior

Females have been observed to locate nests using olfactory cues from floral oils collected by Macropis bees. This chemically-mediated host-finding represents a specialized to track their rare hosts.

Ecological Role

regulator of Macropis bees; functions as a tertiary consumer in a specialized linking oil-producing plants, oil-collecting bees, and cleptoparasitic bees. The serves as an indicator of intact, specialized pollination systems involving Lysimachia flowers.

Human Relevance

Epeoloides pilosulus is classified as Endangered by the State of Connecticut and has been assessed by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada). The exemplifies the conservation challenges facing specialized with complex ecological dependencies. Rediscoveries of E. pilosulus in multiple North American locations have prompted increased monitoring efforts for rare bees.

Similar Taxa

  • EpeolusBoth are cleptoparasitic bees in Apidae, but Epeolus parasitizes Colletes (polyester bees) rather than Macropis, and occurs in different without the specialized Lysimachia association
  • NomadaAnother cleptoparasitic , but Nomada parasitize Andrena and other , not Macropis, and lack the oil-dependency chain

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