Open-cell-parasitism
Guides
Epeolini
cuckoo bees
Epeolini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees within the subfamily Nomadinae. Members are commonly known as cuckoo bees and are obligate cleptoparasites that exploit the nest provisions of other bee species for their own offspring development. The tribe comprises five subtribes and approximately ten genera, including Epeolus, Triepeolus, Odyneropsis, Doeringiella, and Thalestria. Several European species are considered endangered or nearly extinct, while others remain widespread.