Pseudoanthidium

European species occupy diverse habitats: P. nanum occurs in xerothermic open habitats and nests in reed stalks and oak galls; P. tenellum inhabits terrestrial reed beds and wet meadows with reed galls and Asteraceae flowering plants. In Australia, the introduced P. repetitum has been recorded in residential areas, urban community gardens, and coastal regions, with predicted suitable habitat including biodiversity hotspots and world heritage areas.

Native range includes Eurasia and Africa. In Europe, nine species occur; P. nanum is widespread while P. tenellum is rare throughout its range. In Australia, P. repetitum was first recorded in Queensland in 2000, spread along the eastern coast to Victoria by 2015, and has since been detected in Western Australia (Mandurah region). Current Australian distribution encompasses approximately 332,000 km² concentrated along the eastern coast.

P. tenellum collects pollen mainly from wetland plants in the genera Bidens and Pulicaria. P. repetitum is a generalist forager (polylectic), feeding on a wide range of plants from many families.

• Xylophrurus augustus - parasitoidIchneumonidae, reported from P. nanum
• Stelis punctulatissima - cuckoo beereported from P. tenellum
• Gasteruption nigrescens - predator-inquilinereported from P. tenellum
• Leucospis biguetina - parasitoidreported from P. tenellum
• Miltogramma punctata - parasitoidreported from P. tenellum
• Lipara - gall inducerfrit flies; P. tenellum nests in reed galls induced by this genus

Nests constructed in pre-existing cavities. P. nanum nests in reed stalks and oak galls. P. tenellum nests inside reed galls induced by Lipara frit flies; nest structure similar to P. nanum. P. repetitum nests in artificial substrates including corrugated cardboard, polystyrene, wood, PVC pipes, and garden hoses, using foreign materials such as synthetic fibers (carpet fluff, clothing lint, curtain fabric) and natural plant fibers.

Some species are inquilines, utilizing galls or cavities constructed by other organisms. P. tenellum is a reed gall inquiline. Nest construction involves collecting and carding plant fibers and other materials to line cavities.

Pollen collectors; serve as hosts for multiple parasitic species including cuckoo bees, predator-inquilines, and parasitoids. Introduced P. repetitum may alter plant-pollinator interactions and compete with native species for food and nesting resources.

P. repetitum is an introduced species in Australia with potential negative impacts on native fauna and flora through competition and ecosystem alteration. The species has become one of the most common bees in some Australian regions, prompting monitoring efforts.

• AnthidiumBoth are carder bees in tribe Anthidiini; Pseudoanthidium was historically classified within Anthidium and shares the behavior of collecting plant fibers for nest construction.
• IcteranthidiumClosely related anthidiine genus; the species Icteranthidium floripetum was transferred from Pseudoanthidium based on revised classification.

• bees
• Megachilidae
• carder bees
• cavity-nesters
• introduced species
• Australia
• Europe
• pollinators

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• First records of the introduced African carder bee, Pseudoanthidium (Immanthidium) repetitum (Hymenoptera : Megachilidae), in Western Australia
• Nest structure, associated parasites and morphology of mature larvae of two European species of Pseudoanthidium Friese, 1898 (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae)
• Citizen science reveals current distribution, predicted habitat suitability and resource requirements of the introduced African Carder Bee Pseudoanthidium (Immanthidium) repetitum in Australia
• Paraphyly and low levels of genetic divergence in morphologically distinct taxa: revision of the Pseudoanthidium scapulare complex of carder bees (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini)
• A survey of megachilid bees of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, with description of a new species of Pseudoanthidium Friese, 1898 (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae).