Hairy Masked Bee

Hylaeus hyalinatus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Colletidae
Genus: Hylaeus
Species: hyalinatus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hylaeus hyalinatus: //haɪˈliːəs ˌhaɪləˈneɪtəs//

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

Images

Hylaeus hyalinatus by

This image is created by user André van Dam at Waarneming.nl, a source of nature observations in the Netherlands.
. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Hylaeus hyalinatus (male head) (15268733552) by Martin Cooper from Ipswich, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Hylaeus.hyalinatus.-.lindsey by James K. Lindsey. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Hylaeus hyalinatus, North Wales, June 2015 2 (31580263450) by Janet Graham. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Hylaeus hyalinatus (female) (20579542951) by Martin Cooper from Ipswich, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Hylaeus hyalinatus, M, back1 2013-01-10-14.22.14 ZS PMax by USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Hylaeus hyalinatus is a distinctive invasive bee species with unique physical characteristics, originally from Europe and now found in North America, known for its role as a pollinator.

Physical Characteristics

Males have an unusually hairy face, while females have a distinctly pitted clypeus and paroccular areas.

Identification Tips

Check the female's interpit spaces on the pleura; they are shiny and distinct, which is a key identification characteristic.

Habitat

Primarily found in areas with floral associations such as gardens and cultivated fields where Coriandrum and Daucus are present.

Distribution

Originally from Europe and North Africa; it is now found in North America as an invasive species.

Diet

H. hyalinatus primarily feeds on nectar and pollen, specifically from plants in the Apiaceae family.

Life Cycle

Details of the life cycle are not specified; however, like other bees, it likely undergoes complete metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages.

Reproduction

Specific reproductive behaviors are not detailed, but general bee reproduction methods apply, including mating and nesting in pre-existing cavities.

Ecosystem Role

As a pollinator, H. hyalinatus plays a role in the ecosystem by aiding in the pollination of various flowering plants.

Economic Impact

Being an invasive species, it may have economic implications for local ecosystems and agriculture but specific impacts are not detailed.

Evolution

H. hyalinatus is part of the Hymenoptera order and has evolved to be well-suited for fitness as a pollinator in its introduced range.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

There may be misconceptions regarding its native status, as it is not native to North America despite being found there.