Stelis perpulchra
Crawford, 1916
Stelis perpulchra is a cuckoo bee in the Megachilidae, first described by Crawford in 1916. As a member of the Stelis, it is a that lays in the nests of other bees. The species occurs in both Central America and North America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Stelis perpulchra: /ˈstɛ.lɪs pɛrˈpʊl.krə/
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Identification
Members of Stelis can be distinguished from other Megachilidae by their cleptoparasitic lifestyle and associated morphological adaptations, including reduced scopae and often more slender body forms compared to pollen-collecting relatives. Specific diagnostic features for S. perpulchra are not documented in available sources.
Images
Distribution
Central America and North America. Distribution records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.
Behavior
As a cuckoo bee, Stelis perpulchra is a . Females enter nests of bees to deposit , and the resulting larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and often the host larva.
Ecological Role
Cleptoparasitic bees influence and may contribute to structure through .