description Hoplitis adunca Overview
Hoplitis adunca is a solitary mason bee native to Europe. It is notable for its strict oligolectic foraging behavior, collecting pollen exclusively from plants in the borage family, such as viper's bugloss. This specialization makes it an important pollinator for these specific plant species in European ecosystems.
help Hoplitis adunca FAQ
What does Hoplitis adunca collect pollen from?
Hoplitis adunca is strongly oligolectic and collects pollen from plants in the borage family. Viper's bugloss is one of its best-known pollen sources.
Is Hoplitis adunca a honey bee?
No, it is a solitary mason bee native to Europe rather than a colony-forming honey bee. Individual females build and provision their own nests instead of operating in a hive with a queen and workers.
Why is viper's bugloss important to Hoplitis adunca?
Viper's bugloss provides the borage-family pollen that this bee specializes in gathering. Because Hoplitis adunca has such a narrow pollen preference, the availability of these flowers can strongly affect local breeding opportunities.
Where is Hoplitis adunca found?
The species is native to Europe and is associated with habitats where suitable borage-family flowers are present. Its solitary nesting lifestyle means that flower-rich sites can support it without the presence of a managed hive.
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