Epeolus scutellaris

Say, 1824

red-chested cuckoo nomad bee, Notch-backed Cellophane-cuckoo Bee

Epeolus scutellaris is a cleptoparasitic in the . As a , it does not construct nests or collect pollen, instead laying in the nests of bees. The occurs in North America and Mexico. It is one of approximately 43 Epeolus species recognized in North America.

Epeolus scutellaris male by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Epeolus scutellaris female 1 by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Epeolus scutellaris female by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Epeolus scutellaris: /ɛˈpiːələs skuːtɛˈlɛrɪs/

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

Images

Distribution

United States and Mexico.

Host Associations

Colletes - Epeolus are known to parasitize nests of polyester in the Colletes

Ecological Role

of other . The functions as a nest , with consuming provisions and killing host offspring.

Similar Taxa

Epeolus attenboroughiAnother North Epeolus with similar cleptoparasitic biology and color pattern of short black, , red, and hairs
NomadaAnother of in with similar kleptoparasitic , though Nomada typically parasitize Andrena or Melitta nests rather than Colletes

More Details

Etymology

The name 'Epeolus' is probably a diminutive of Epeus/Epeius, the in Greek mythology who devised the Trojan Horse, perhaps alluding to the deceptive, infiltrating nature of these cleptoparasitic .

Conservation status

No specific assessment has been documented for this . are generally rarer than their species due to - dynamics.