Macropis

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Macropis: /mæˈkroʊpɪs/

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Summary

Macropis is a rare genus of bees in the family Melittidae known for their special relationship with Lysimachia flowers, collecting oils from them. They are solitary and have a unique nesting and foraging behavior.

Physical Characteristics

Moderate size, not exceeding 15 mm; predominantly black with males featuring conspicuous yellow markings on the head; females have adaptations for foraging with developed, densely hairy posterior tibiae; wings with only two submarginal cells.

Identification Tips

Males can be identified by their yellow head markings, while females can be identified by their velvety hairs on the posterior tibiae which aid in collecting floral oils.

Habitat

Ground nests commonly found in areas where Lysimachia flowers grow.

Distribution

Holarctic region, encompassing four species in our area and a total of 16 species worldwide.

Diet

Oligolectic, primarily feeding on pollen and floral oils from Lysimachia spp.

Life Cycle

Single generation per year; larvae develop rapidly on pollen, becoming pupae within 10 days and overwintering in this stage.

Reproduction

Solitary nesting behavior, with females digging nests in the ground that usually contain one or two chambers for eggs and pollen.

Predators

Nests are often parasitized by cleptoparasitic bees such as Epeoloides.

Ecosystem Role

Specialized pollinators of Lysimachia flowers; their decline may impact the reproductive success of these plants.

Misconceptions

Due to their rarity and specialized habits, they are often overlooked and not well understood compared to more common bee species.

Tags

• bees
• pollinators
• Hymenoptera
• Melittidae
• Macropis