Triepeolus simplex

Robertson, 1903

cuckoo bee

Triepeolus simplex is a cleptoparasitic in the Apidae, described by Robertson in 1903. It belongs to the simplex species group, characterized by females possessing a trapezoidal or triangular pseudopygidial area with bright, reflective setae and a concave margin. As a cuckoo bee, it does not construct nests or collect pollen but instead parasitizes the nests of other bee species. The species occurs in North America and is part of an entirely New World group of Triepeolus species.

Triepeolus simplex, m, back, md, kenty county 2014-07-22-10.01.36 ZS PMax by Sam Droege. Used under a Public domain license.

Triepeolus simplex female by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Triepeolus simplex female 1 by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Triepeolus simplex: /traɪˈɛpiːələs ˈsɪmpleks/

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Identification

Females of the simplex group, including T. simplex, can be distinguished by a trapezoidal or triangular pseudopygidial area on the bearing bright, reflective setae with a concave margin. Species-level identification within the group requires detailed morphological examination using the diagnostic keys provided in the 2024 revision.

Images

Distribution

North America; records include Vermont, United States. The simplex group as a whole is distributed across the New World (North and South America).

Life Cycle

Cleptoparasitic. Lacks pollen-collecting structures; females deposit in nests where larvae consume host provisions.

Behavior

As a , females locate and enter nests of to lay . The species does not construct nests or provision .

Similar Taxa

Other Triepeolus speciesMembers of the simplex group share the distinctive female pseudopygidial area ; differentiation requires examination of specific setal patterns and other subtle morphological characters.
Other Nomadinae cuckoo beesShare cleptoparasitic lifestyle but differ in abdominal , particularly the structure of the pseudopygidial area in females.

More Details

Taxonomic revision

The simplex group was revised in 2024 using integrative (morphological, biogeographic, and barcode data), recognizing 18 valid species and establishing clearer species limits for T. simplex and related .