Triepeolus mexicanus

(Cresson, 1878)

cuckoo bee

Triepeolus mexicanus is a cleptoparasitic (cuckoo) in the Apidae, Nomadinae. It belongs to the simplex group of the Triepeolus, characterized by females having a trapezoidal or triangular pseudopygidial area with bright, reflective setae and a concave margin. The species is found in Central America and North America.

Triepeolus mexicanus by Laurence Packer, York University. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Triepeolus mexicanus: /ˌtraɪəˈpiːələs ˌmɛksɪˈkeɪnəs/

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

Identification

Belongs to the simplex group of Triepeolus, identifiable by the female's trapezoidal or triangular pseudopygidial area with bright, reflective setae and a concave margin. Species limits established using integrative combining morphological, biogeographic, and barcode data. Distinguished from other Triepeolus species through detailed morphological requiring examination.

Images

Distribution

Central America and North America.

Ecological Role

(cuckoo bee) that lays in the nests of .

Similar Taxa

Triepeolus simplexBelongs to the same simplex group and shares the diagnostic pseudopygidial area with reflective setae.
Triepeolus rhododontusAnother member of the simplex group, distinguished by specific morphological and biogeographic differences established through integrative .
Triepeolus segregatusRelated in the same species group, separated by morphological and barcode data.

More Details

Taxonomic History

Previously described under multiple names now synonymized: Epeolus rugulosus (Cockerell, 1917), Epeolus metatarsalis (Friese, 1921), and Triepeolus bilunatus (Cockerell, 1949). The was revised in 2024 using integrative approaches.

Research Methods

limits were established using an integrative approach combining morphological evidence, biogeographic data, and barcode data.