Stelis australis

Cresson, 1878

Species Guides

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Stelis australis is a of cleptoparasitic in the Megachilidae, described by Cresson in 1878. As a member of the Stelis, this species is a nest of other solitary bees, particularly those in the family Megachilidae. The specific epithet 'australis' suggests a southern distribution, though detailed biological information remains limited. Like other Stelis species, females likely enter nests to lay in provisioned , with larvae consuming the host's pollen stores and sometimes the host egg or larva.

Stelis australis, M, Back, GA, Baker County 2015-02-05-13.29.05 ZS PMax - USGS BIML by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Stelis australis F by USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory. Used under a Public domain license.Erbario generale 100 esemplari - Vallardi, Milano, 1940 - 1950 - Museo Michelangelo, Caserta by MuMiCaserta. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Stelis australis: //ˈstɛ.lɪs ɔˈstra.lɪs//

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Images

Distribution

North America

Diet

Cleptoparasitic; larvae feed on pollen stores collected by bees, primarily megachilid

Behavior

Females are known to enter nests of bees to deposit in provisioned with pollen; this cleptoparasitic strategy eliminates the need for nest construction and pollen collection

Ecological Role

Acts as a (nest ) of solitary bees; are linked to abundance and nesting success

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Sources and further reading