Coelioxys dolichos

Fox, 1890

carpenter-mimic cuckoo leaf-cutter bee

Coelioxys dolichos is a of kleptoparasitic in the . It is known to parasitize nests of the leaf-cutter bee Megachile xylocopoides. The species occurs in North America.

Coelioxys dolichos by (c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Clark. Used under a CC-BY license.Coelioxys dolichos by (c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Clark. Used under a CC-BY license.Coelioxys dolichos, m, side, md, kent county 2014-07-21-12.19.17 ZS PMax (21903554339) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coelioxys dolichos: /ˌsiːlɪˈɒksɪs doʊˈlaɪkəs/

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Identification

Coelioxys can be distinguished from other by their pointed with a sharp, sword-like or spear-like (the pseudostigma). Females have a triangular or pointed sixth . This species is commonly known as the 'carpenter-mimic cuckoo leaf-cutter ,' suggesting resemblance to (Xylocopa) in appearance.

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Distribution

North America

Host Associations

Behavior

As a , females enter nests and lay in provisioned by the host. The developing Coelioxys consumes the host's pollen/nectar provisions and typically kills the host egg or larva.

Ecological Role

of solitary ; regulator of Megachile

Similar Taxa

  • CoelioxysOther in the share the kleptoparasitic lifestyle and pointed abdominal , but differ in specific associations and subtle morphological features
  • Megachile ; can be distinguished by the absence of the pointed abdominal and by their role as primary nest builders rather than

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Sources and further reading