Brood-parasite
Guides
Bombus natvigi
High Arctic Bumble Bee
Bombus natvigi is a cuckoo bumble bee endemic to the Nearctic Arctic, recognized as a distinct species from Bombus hyperboreus in 2015 based on genetic analysis. It is a brood parasite that invades colonies of Bombus polaris, using pheromones to manipulate host workers into rearing its offspring. The species is currently listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List, reflecting limited knowledge of its population status and ecology. Its taxonomic status remains debated, with some subsequent studies treating it as a subspecies of B. hyperboreus.
Chalcoela
Sooty-winged Chalcoela (for C. iphitalis)
Chalcoela is a genus of crambid moths (family Crambidae, subfamily Glaphyriinae) containing at least two described species. The genus is notable for the brood parasitic biology of C. iphitalis, whose larvae are specialized predators of paper wasp (Polistes) larvae within their nests. This species represents a rare example of a lepidopteran that has evolved to exploit social hymenopteran colonies. The genus was established by Zeller in 1872.
Coelioxys
leaf-cutting cuckoo bees, sharp-tailed bees, sharptail bees
Coelioxys is a genus of solitary kleptoparasitic bees in the family Megachilidae, containing approximately 500 species across 15 subgenera. These bees are commonly known as leaf-cutting cuckoo bees or sharp-tailed bees. They do not construct their own nests or provision their young, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bees and relying on host-collected pollen for their larval development.
Coelioxys aztecus
Coelioxys aztecus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, this species is an obligate brood parasite (kleptoparasite) of other bees, primarily targeting leafcutter bees (Megachile). The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and occurs in Middle America. Like other Coelioxys, females possess a distinctive pointed abdomen adapted for inserting eggs into host nest cells.
Coelioxys hunteri
Hunter's cuckoo-leaf-cutter bee
Coelioxys hunteri is a species of cuckoo leafcutter bee in the family Megachilidae. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a cleptoparasite that exploits the nest provisions of other bees rather than collecting pollen and nectar itself. The species was described by Crawford in 1914 and occurs in North America and Middle America.
Coelioxys menthae
Coelioxys menthae is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, it is a brood parasite that targets leafcutter bees (Megachile species). The species was described by Cockerell in 1897 and occurs in North America and Middle America.
Coelioxys mexicanus
Coelioxys mexicanus is a species of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. As with other members of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.). The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and occurs in North America and Middle America.
Coelioxys slossoni arenicola
Coelioxys slossoni arenicola is a subspecies of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Crawford in 1914. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, this subspecies is a brood parasite (cuckoo bee) that exploits the nest provisions of host bees rather than constructing its own nests. The subspecies epithet 'arenicola' suggests an association with sandy habitats. It occurs in Middle America and North America based on distribution records.
Hedychrum
Hedychrum is a large genus of cuckoo wasps in the family Chrysididae, comprising roughly 150 species and ranking as the second largest genus in the family. Most species occur in the Palaearctic region, with additional species present in the Oriental, Afrotropical, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. These wasps are obligate brood parasites of ground-nesting apoid wasps, primarily in the subfamily Philanthinae.
Hexepeolini
Hexepeolini is a monotypic tribe of cuckoo bees within the subfamily Nomadinae (family Apidae). The tribe contains a single genus, Hexepeolus, which in turn contains only one species, Hexepeolus rhodogyne. As cuckoo bees, members of this tribe are brood parasites that do not construct nests or collect pollen. The extreme rarity of this tribe—represented by only two observations on iNaturalist—reflects its narrow geographic distribution and specialized ecological requirements.
Holcopasites
cuckoo bees
Holcopasites is a genus of small, uncommon cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. The genus contains at least 20 described species distributed in North America. All species are obligate brood parasites that infiltrate the nests of solitary host bees to exploit food provisions intended for host offspring. Males are distinguished from nearly all other Apidae by having 12 antennal segments rather than the typical 13.
Melectini
cuckoo bees
Melectini is a tribe of medium- to large-sized cleptoparasitic bees in the family Apidae. Members are brood parasites of digger bees (Anthophorini) and are found worldwide. Females lack pollen-collecting structures such as scopae, basitibial plates, and prepygidial fimbria. The tribe includes approximately eight genera, with Melecta and Thyreus being the most diverse.
Mesoplia
centris-cuckoos, cuckoo bees
Mesoplia is a genus of cleptoparasitic bees in the family Apidae, tribe Ericrocidini. Commonly known as centris-cuckoos, these bees are brood parasites that lay eggs in the nests of oil-collecting bees in the tribe Centridini. The genus contains approximately 15–17 described species distributed across the Neotropical region, with the highest diversity in Mexico and Central America.
Metopia argyrocephala
satellite fly
Metopia argyrocephala is a kleptoparasitic satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae. Unlike most kleptoparasitic flies that specialize on either bees or wasps, this species has been documented developing in nests of both hymenopteran groups. Adult females follow host wasps or bees to their nests and deposit larvae at the entrance, which then crawl inside to parasitize the host's brood. The species is native to Europe and has been recorded across northern Europe including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Nomada affabilis
nomad bee
Nomada affabilis is a species of kleptoparasitic nomad bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1878. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic cuckoo bee lifestyle of laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than building its own nests or collecting pollen. The species is distributed across North America and comprises two recognized subspecies: Nomada affabilis affabilis and Nomada affabilis dallasensis. Like other nomad bees, females likely locate host nests using chemical cues and possess reduced scopal structures for pollen collection.
Nomadinae
cuckoo bees, nomad and related cuckoo bees
Nomadinae is a subfamily of bees in the family Apidae, commonly known as cuckoo bees. All members are obligate kleptoparasites that lay eggs in the nests of other bee species. They lack pollen-carrying structures and often exhibit wasp-like morphology. The subfamily is cosmopolitan, with diverse host associations across multiple bee families. Females enter host nests when unoccupied and deposit eggs into host cell walls; emerging larvae kill the host offspring and consume the stored provisions.
Phrosinella aurifacies
Phrosinella aurifacies is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is known as a kleptoparasite of the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata. Adult females enter wasp burrows and deposit live larvae that feed on the paralyzed prey stored by the host wasp, often destroying the wasp egg or larva in the process. The species was described by Downes in 1985.
Protepeolini
Protepeolini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees within the family Apidae. The tribe includes the genus Leiopodus and, according to some sources, Epeoloides. Members are specialized brood parasites of other bees, with larvae exhibiting distinctive killing behaviors toward host offspring. First instar larvae show unusual developmental patterns, including extended quiescence or abbreviated stadia.
Sphecodes heraclei
Cyclops Blood Bee
Sphecodes heraclei is a species of cleptoparasitic sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the Cyclops Blood Bee. Like other members of the genus Sphecodes, females lay their eggs in the nests of other solitary bees, particularly sweat bees in the subfamily Halictinae. The larvae consume the host's food stores and parasitize the host larvae. The species is native to North America and Central America, with records from both regions.