Masked Bees
Hylaeus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Colletidae
- Genus: Hylaeus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hylaeus: //hɪˈliːəs//
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Images
Summary
Hylaeus is a diverse, globally distributed genus of masked bees known for their unique nesting habits, reliance on pre-existing cavities, and internal pollen storage. They do not possess typical pollen-transporting structures, which may affect their pollination effectiveness.
Physical Characteristics
Generally small, black-and-yellow or black-and-white wasp-like species; body form is described as hylaeiform (slender); the hairs are inconspicuous without magnification; males have an intermediate glossal shape with a small to distinct median apical glossal point.
Identification Tips
Absence of scopa (external pollen transporting structures) which is atypical among bees, carry pollen in the crop rather than externally.
Habitat
Nests in a variety of preexisting cavities such as dead stems, old tunnels, burrows, earthen banks, wasp galls, hollow pieces of flint stone, earthworm burrows, and other natural cavities.
Distribution
Found worldwide except Antarctica, with significant diversity in Hawai'i (approximately sixty species), 130 species estimated in North America, and various species in Asia and Australasia.
Diet
Females gather nectar for semi-liquid provisions, and males primarily feed on nectar; generally considered generalist species foragers but specialized in terms of pollen collection.
Life Cycle
Nests are typically made in dead twigs or plant stems, rather than excavating their own nests; food mass in cells is typically liquid, primarily consisting of nectar and a small amount of pollen.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs within the sealed cells, which contain the regurgitated mixture of nectar and pollen for larval food.
Conservation Status
Some species in Hawai'i are under threat due to habitat loss; several species possibly extinct; specific species such as Hylaeus facilis have drastically reduced populations in the last decades.
Ecosystem Role
Considered important contributors to pollination, particularly in specific habitats where they may specialize on certain plants.
Evolution
Phylogenetic data suggests Hylaeus originated from Australia, with separate dispersal events leading to species found in New Zealand and worldwide.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
The term "yellow-faced bees" is misleading as a significant proportion of species have white masks and markings, not yellow.
Tags
- masked bees
- bees
- Hymenoptera
- pollinators
- Hawaiian biodiversity