Coelioxys menthae

Members of the genus Coelioxys can be recognized by their pointed, triangular abdomen with a sharp spine at the tip—a distinctive feature that gives them the common name 'sharp-tailed bees.' Males have more slender abdomens than females. Coelioxys species generally resemble their Megachile hosts in size and coloration but lack the dense scopal hairs on the underside of the abdomen used by female leafcutter bees for pollen transport. Specific distinguishing features for C. menthae relative to other Coelioxys species are not documented in available sources.

Coelioxys species are typically found in habitats where their host Megachile bees nest, including areas with pre-existing cavities in wood, hollow stems, or other suitable nesting substrates. The species has been recorded in association with bee banks and other nesting aggregations of solitary bees.

North America and Middle America. GBIF records indicate presence in both regions, though specific country-level distribution details are not well documented.

Adults feed on nectar from flowers. The larvae are brood parasites that consume the pollen provisions and host eggs or larvae provided by female Megachile bees in their nest cells.

• Megachile - hostCoelioxys females lay eggs in Megachile nest cells; larvae kill the host egg or larva and develop on the host's pollen provision

As a brood parasite, Coelioxys menthae does not construct its own nests or collect pollen. Females deposit eggs between the leaf fragments lining Megachile nest cells. Upon hatching, the parasite larva kills the host egg or larva and consumes the pollen-nectar provision intended for the host offspring. Development completes within the host cell, with adults emerging the following season.

Females are known to hover around active Megachile nesting sites, searching for open nest tunnels to infiltrate. They follow chemical cues to locate host nests. Males are often observed patrolling flowers, particularly those visited by their hosts.

Brood parasite of leafcutter bees. Functions as a population regulator of Megachile host species. Adult bees contribute to pollination through nectar feeding.

May be observed by beekeepers and naturalists monitoring leafcutter bee nesting sites, including artificial bee hotels. Presence indicates a healthy population of host Megachile bees. No direct economic impact documented.

• NomadaAlso brood parasites of bees, but Nomada species typically parasitize Andrena (mining bees) rather than Megachile; Nomada often have more wasp-like coloration with yellow and black or red and black patterns
• SphecodesBlood bees are brood parasites of other halictid bees; typically smaller and often reddish in coloration
• MegachileHost genus; female Megachile have dense scopal hairs on the abdomen for pollen collection, which Coelioxys lacks; Coelioxys has pointed abdominal tip versus rounded abdomen in Megachile

• brood parasite
• cuckoo bee
• sharp-tailed bee
• leafcutter bee parasite
• solitary bee

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Purple Paradise | Bug Squad
• Not-so Solitary Bees - Buglife Blog - Buglife
• Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Ancistrocerus tuberculocephalus