Melittinae
Tribe Guides
2Melittinae is a small of bees within the Melittidae, comprising approximately 60 across four . These bees are distributed in Africa and the northern temperate zone. They are notable for specialized feeding habits, including oligolecty and, in some species, collection of floral oils rather than pollen as larval food. The subfamily includes the remarkable species Rediviva emdeorum, whose forelegs are elongated beyond body length for accessing floral oils from deep corolla spurs.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Melittinae: /mɛˈlɪtɪniː/
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Identification
Distinguished from other melittid by combination of: small to moderate size, often shaggy scopae, and specialized feeding including floral oil collection in some . Rediviva with elongated forelegs are immediately recognizable. Oligolectic pollen-foraging patterns may aid identification where known. Fossil record includes Palaeomacropis eocenicus from Early Eocene France.
Images
Appearance
Small to moderate-sized bees with often shaggy scopae (pollen-collecting hairs) on the legs. Body size varies among the four . In Rediviva emdeorum, forelegs are dramatically elongated, exceeding the entire body length.
Habitat
Found in regions of Africa and the northern temperate zone. Specific preferences vary by and ; plant associations (including Diascia for oil-collecting species) influence local distribution.
Distribution
Restricted to Africa and the northern temperate zone. Fossil evidence from Early Eocene Oise, France indicates historical presence in Europe.
Diet
Commonly oligolectic (specialized on pollen of limited plant ). Several collect floral oils as larval food rather than pollen, including Rediviva emdeorum which sponges oil from elongated corolla spurs of Diascia using its elongated forelegs.
Host Associations
- Diascia - plantSource of floral oils for Rediviva emdeorum
Behavior
Rediviva emdeorum uses its elongated forelegs to sponge up floral oil from the ends of elongated corolla spurs. Oil collection represents a derived feeding strategy within the .
Ecological Role
with specialized plant associations. Floral oil collection represents a distinctive ecological interaction with certain flowering plants.
Similar Taxa
- Other Melittidae subfamiliesMelittinae distinguished by combination of shaggy scopae, oligolecty, and floral oil specialization in some lineages
More Details
Fossil record
Palaeomacropis eocenicus from Early Eocene Oise, France provides the known fossil evidence for this
Taxonomic size
Approximately 60 in four , making this a relatively small