Coelioxys edita
Cresson, 1872
Coelioxys edita is a of sharp-tailed bee in the Megachilidae. Like other members of its , it is a that exploits the nests of other bees rather than building its own. The species was described by Cresson in 1872 and occurs in North America and Middle America. As a cuckoo bee, it represents one of the many parasitic strategies found within the solitary bees.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Coelioxys edita: /ˌsiːliˈɒksɪs ˈɛdɪtə/
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Identification
Members of Coelioxys can be distinguished from other bees by the sharply pointed , which gives the its of sharp-tailed bees. Females possess a pointed metasoma used to insert into nest . The genus is further characterized by a relatively slender body form compared to the robust Megachile hosts they parasitize. Specific identification of C. edita requires examination of detailed morphological characters.
Habitat
Found in areas where bees of the Megachile are present and nesting. Hosts typically nest in pre-existing cavities including hollow stems, holes in wood, and hotels. The therefore occurs in varied from urban gardens with artificial nesting structures to natural areas with appropriate cavity-nesting resources.
Distribution
Recorded from North America and Middle America. GBIF distribution records confirm presence in both regions.
Host Associations
- Megachile - Females lay in nest ; larvae kill host egg or larva and consume provisioned pollen
Life Cycle
Behavior
Females are known to hover around potential nest sites, searching for nests in which to deposit . Males have been observed visiting flowers.
Ecological Role
Acts as a on leafcutter bees, representing a natural control mechanism on . Contributes to the complexity of dynamics.
Human Relevance
May be observed by those maintaining hotels or artificial nesting structures for solitary bees. Presence indicates a functioning bee with both and .
Similar Taxa
- NomadaAlso cleptoparasitic bees, but Nomada are typically associated with Andrena rather than Megachile, and lack the sharply pointed of Coelioxys
- SphecodesBlood bees are of other bees, but belong to Halictidae and have different associations and body form
- Megachile ; Coelioxys females can be distinguished by the pointed used for -laying, while Megachile females have scopal hairs for pollen collection on the abdomen
More Details
Taxonomic note
The was first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1872. The Coelioxys contains approximately 50 species worldwide, with multiple species occurring in North America.