Stelis costalis

Cresson, 1872

cuckoo bee

Stelis costalis is a of cleptoparasitic (cuckoo bee) in the Megachilidae. The species is known from North America and Central America. In 2020, it was documented as a of the giant resin bee Megachile sculpturalis, representing the first recorded association for this species.

Stelis costalis, M, Face, GA, Baker County 2015-01-09-15.32.35 ZS PMax (16118906219) (2) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Stelis costalis, M, Side, GA, Baker County 2015-01-09-12.11.35 ZS PMax - USGS BIML by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Stelis costalis, M, Back, GA, Baker County 2015-01-09-15.24.17 ZS PMax (16304192352) (2) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Stelis costalis: /ˈstɛ.lɪs kɒˈstaː.lɪs/

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

Images

Distribution

North America and Central America.

Host Associations

Megachile sculpturalis - Novel association documented in 2020; first recorded host for this .

Behavior

As a cleptoparasitic , females lay in the nests of bees. The developing larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and often the host egg or larva.

More Details

Taxonomic note

Stelis costalis belongs to the tribe Anthidiini within Megachilinae. The Stelis comprises approximately 30 North American , all obligate of other bees.