Chelostoma campanularum
(Kirby, 1802)
Small Scissor Bee, Harebell Carpenter Bee
Chelostoma campanularum is a small solitary in the . It is a pollen strongly associated with Campanula (bellflower) . The species is notable for its distinctive pollen- using abdominal rather than leg scopae, and for nesting in hollow stems.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Chelostoma campanularum: //kɛˈlɔstoʊmə kæmˌpæn.jʊˈlɛərəm//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Most reliably identified by its strict association with Campanula flowers. Female can be distinguished from other small black by the abdominal —pollen is carried on the underside of the rather than on the hind legs. Male identified by the two-pronged peg on the abdominal , a diagnostic feature for the . Distinguished from the related Campanula Bee (Melitta haemorrhoidalis) by smaller size, black coloration, and abdominal (not leg-based) pollen transport.
Images
Appearance
Small black , 6–7 mm in length. Male possesses a two-pronged peg on the abdominal . Female has dense snow- pollen- hairs () on the surface of the . Body otherwise lacks conspicuous hair or color patterns.
Habitat
Associated with supporting Campanula , including meadows, grasslands, woodland edges, and gardens. Requires access to dry hollow stems for nesting, notably reed stems.
Distribution
Recorded from Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Present in both and ranges.
Seasonality
Single period from mid-June to mid-August. active during peak flowering period of Campanula .
Diet
Oligolectic pollen on Campanula (bellflowers) and Jasione montana (Sheep's-bit). Nectar feeding from same flowers.
Host Associations
- Campanula glomerata - pollen source bellflower
- Campanula trachelium - pollen source bellflower
- Campanula rotundifolia - pollen source bellflower, harebell
- Jasione montana - pollen and nectar sourceSheep's-bit
Life Cycle
Solitary nesting . Female constructs nest in hollow stems, creating series of provisioned with pollen-nectar mixture. Cells sealed with partition walls. Developmental stages: , , , . Unvoltine (one per year).
Behavior
Female collects pollen by brushing abdominal against anthers using hind legs, while gripping flower with forelegs and . Males frequently found in same flowers as females. Mating occurs within flowers. Both sexes occasionally observed resting inside flowers during overcast conditions.
Ecological Role
of Campanula . Contributes to of bellflower through obligate . Serves as or for unspecified cleptoparasitic .
Human Relevance
Subject of interest; naturalists Campanula and provide reed stems to encourage . for healthy Campanula-associated .
Similar Taxa
- Melitta haemorrhoidalisAlso specializes on Campanula, but larger, has leg for pollen transport, and exhibits different coloration.
- Other Chelostoma speciesShare abdominal and male peg, but differ in associations and minor morphological details.
More Details
Nesting biology
Accepts dry reed stems as artificial nesting substrate; this trait has been exploited in management.
Pollen transport
Unlike most , does not mix pollen with nectar; carries dry pollen on abdominal , potentially enhancing pollen transfer .