Dasypodainae

Tribe Guides

Hesperapini

Dasypodainae is a of melittid bees comprising more than 100 across eight . These bees are found in Africa and the northern temperate zone, with a notable disjunct distribution in the genus Hesperapis, which occurs in both North America and southern Africa. They are primarily associated with xeric and exhibit specialized pollen-foraging .

Hesperapis larreae by (c) Kevin Floyd, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kevin Floyd. Used under a CC-BY license.

Hesperapis oraria by (c) Kim, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kim. Used under a CC-BY license.

Hesperapis oraria by (c) Lauren McLaurin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lauren McLaurin. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dasypodainae: //ˌdæsɪpoʊˈdaɪniː//

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

Identification

Members of Dasypodainae can be distinguished from other melittid bees by having exactly two submarginal in the forewing. They possess shaggy scopae (pollen-collecting hairs) and are typically small to moderate in body size.

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Habitat

Primarily associated with xeric (dry) . The Hesperapis includes found in California chaparral and woodlands.

Distribution

Africa and the northern temperate zone. The Hesperapis has a disjunct distribution in North America and southern Africa. Dasypoda crassicornis has been recorded in western Liguria and the Piedmont Cottian Alps in Italy, extending eastward from its previously known range limit in France.

Diet

Commonly oligolectic (specialized on a narrow range of pollen sources). Hesperapis regularis is a documented on Clarkia flowers.

Misconceptions

Originally named 'Dasypodidae,' but this name was changed to Dasypodainae to avoid confusion with the armadillo Dasypodidae. Molecular studies initially suggested elevating Dasypodainae to family status due to perceived paraphyly of Melittidae, but subsequent research with broader sampling supported retention as a .

More Details

Taxonomic composition

The contains three tribes: Dasypodaini (Dasypoda, Eremaphanta, Capicola, Hesperapis), Sambini (Haplomelitta, Samba), and Promelittini (Promelitta, Afrodasypoda). Hesperapis is the largest with approximately 40 described plus additional undescribed ones.

Taxonomic history

Initial molecular studies using few melittid suggested Melittidae was and that including Dasypodainae should be elevated to rank. A 2013 study with greater sampling concluded Melittidae is probably monophyletic, supporting subfamily status for Dasypodainae.