Hoplitis anthocopoides

(Schenck, 1853)

Viper's Bugloss Small-Mason

Hoplitis anthocopoides is a solitary in the . It is a of Echium vulgare (viper's bugloss), using this for both pollen/nectar collection and leaf material for nest construction. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities using cut leaf pieces, creating linear series of 6-10 . Males exhibit territorial , defending flower to gain access to females. The has a broad distribution across Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America.

Hoplitis anthocopoides, f, back, Washington Co., Maryland 2016-03-29-16.53 (26971405973) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Hoplitis anthocopoides, f, face, Washington Co. Maryland 2016-03-29-17.16 (27303250570) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Hoplitis anthocopoides, f, side, Washington Co. Maryland 2016-03-29-17.03 (27545946366) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hoplitis anthocopoides: //ˈhɒplɪtɪs ˌænθəˌkɒpɔɪˈdiːz//

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

Identification

Can be distinguished from other Hoplitis by its specialized association with Echium vulgare. Females cut distinctive circular or oval leaf pieces from this for nest construction, leaving characteristic excisions on leaves. Males may be observed perching on or near Echium flowers and engaging in territorial chases of males.

Images

Habitat

Areas where Echium vulgare (viper's bugloss) grows, including open, disturbed and grasslands. Nests in pre-existing cavities such as borings in dead wood, hollow stems, or crevices in walls and rocks.

Distribution

Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America.

Diet

feed on nectar from Echium vulgare. Females provision nest with a mixture of pollen and nectar from Echium vulgare for larval consumption.

Host Associations

Echium vulgare - pollen and nectar source; leaf material for nest constructionObligate relationship; has been observed to use this exclusively for both nutrition and nesting materials

Life Cycle

Females construct linear series of 6-10 in pre-existing cavities. Each cell is provisioned with a pollen-nectar mixture and sealed with cut leaf pieces. Offspring sex is determined by cell size and provision quantity: larger cells with more provisions produce females, smaller cells produce males. Males typically emerge before females.

Behavior

Females exhibit highly stereotyped nest-building : inspecting cavities, constructing leaf plugs, provisioning , depositing , and sealing cells with leaf pieces. They use and legs to precisely cut circular/oval leaf pieces and can repair damaged nests. Males establish and defend territories on flower where females forage, perching on or near flowers and chasing intruding males; larger males are more successful at holding territories.

Ecological Role

of Echium vulgare. As a cavity-nesting , it contributes to services in where its occurs.

Similar Taxa

Other Hoplitis speciesMay share general and cavity-nesting , but differ in associations and geographic distribution
Other Megachilidae (leafcutter and mason bees)Similar nest construction using leaf or resin materials, but H. anthocopoides is distinguished by its specific use of Echium vulgare leaf pieces and its specialized relationship

More Details

Nesting Materials

Unlike some that use mud or resin, H. anthocopoides exclusively uses cut leaf pieces from its Echium vulgare for nest construction, making it a 'leaf-mason' rather than a typical mud-mason bee.

Sex Determination

Females control offspring sex through manipulation of size and provision quantity, a form of common in but specifically documented in this .