Coelioxys coturnix

Pérez, 1884

Coelioxys coturnix is a cleptoparasitic in the , commonly known as sharp-tailed bees or cuckoo . As a , females do not construct their own nests or provision with pollen. Instead, they exploit nests of bees in the Megachile, laying in host cells where their kill the host offspring and consume the stored provisions. The has been documented exhibiting hospicidal , where the parasitic larva actively kills the host egg or larva.

Sharp-tailed Bee. Coelioxys species ( C. coturnix ?) (33031189855) by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Coelioxys species (C. coturnix female ?) (32952289352) by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Sharp-tailed Bee. Coelioxys species ( C. coturnix ?) (33031191135) by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coelioxys coturnix: //ˈsiːlɪˌɒksɪs koʊˈtɜrnɪks//

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Identification

Coelioxys coturnix can be distinguished from non-parasitic Megachile by the pointed, -like projection at the of the (the 'sharp tail'), a diagnostic feature of the . Females possess this conspicuous abdominal spine, which is used to open sealed when laying . The is smaller than most host Megachile species and lacks the dense scopal hairs on the underside of the abdomen used by females for pollen transport. Males may be recognized by similar abdominal modifications and are often observed flowers near host nesting .

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Distribution

Coelioxys coturnix has been recorded across multiple continents including Africa, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), North America, and Southern Asia.

Host Associations

  • Megachile - primary Females lay in nests of ; kill offspring and consume host-provisioned pollen and nectar
  • Megachile - provisioning source complete development on pollen and nectar stores collected by female

Life Cycle

Development includes described larval . The exhibits hospicidal , actively killing the or larva before consuming the provisions. occurs within the host cell, with emerging the following season.

Behavior

Females locate nests using chemical cues, hovering near active nest tunnels and entering when the host female departs to forage. They do not construct nests or collect pollen. Males flowering plants and host nesting in search of females.

Ecological Role

As a , Coelioxys coturnix functions as a regulator of Megachile . The species contributes to of solitary populations and represents a specialized component of bee diversity.

Human Relevance

Coelioxys coturnix may be encountered by observers hotels or artificial nesting blocks provided for bees. Its presence indicates successful establishment of Megachile . The does not humans and poses no direct economic or agricultural impact.

Similar Taxa

  • NomadaAlso cleptoparasitic , but Nomada are typically more -like in appearance with and black or red and black coloration, and parasitize Andrena rather than Megachile
  • SphecodesBlood are cleptoparasitic but belong to , are often reddish in color, and parasitize Lasioglossum and other halictid rather than megachilids
  • Coelioxys other speciesOther sharp-tailed share the abdominal and cleptoparasitic lifestyle; precise identification to level requires examination of morphological details including punctation and abdominal spine shape

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