Coelioxys coturnix

Pérez, 1884

Coelioxys coturnix is a cleptoparasitic in the Megachilidae, commonly known as sharp-tailed bees or cuckoo leafcutting bees. 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 larvae 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//

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

Identification

Coelioxys coturnix can be distinguished from non-parasitic Megachile by the pointed, spine-like projection at the apex 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 patrolling flowers near host nesting .

Images

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 leafcutting bees; larvae kill offspring and consume host-provisioned pollen and nectar
Megachile - provisioning sourceLarvae complete development on pollen and nectar stores collected by female

Life Cycle

Development includes described larval instars. The larva 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 patrol 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 natural control of solitary populations and represents a specialized component of native bee diversity.

Human Relevance

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

Similar Taxa

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