description Sphecodes ephippius Overview
Sphecodes ephippius is a Palearctic species of cuckoo bee in the family Halictidae. Females enter the provisioned nests of other solitary ground-nesting bees, remove or kill the host's egg or larva, and lay their own egg in its place. The developing Sphecodes larva consumes the pollen and nectar provisions collected by the host, so adult females do not gather pollen for their own offspring.
help Sphecodes ephippius FAQ
What kind of bee is Sphecodes ephippius?
Sphecodes ephippius is a Palearctic cuckoo bee in the family Halictidae. It is a solitary-bee parasite rather than a typical colony-forming honey bee.
What does cuckoo bee mean in Sphecodes ephippius?
A female enters a provisioned nest made by another solitary, ground-nesting bee. She removes or kills the host's egg or larva and lays her own egg in its place.
Does Sphecodes ephippius build and provision its own nest?
Its reproductive strategy relies on host nests instead of provisioning a separate nest for its own offspring. The Sphecodes larva develops in the host nest and uses the provisions collected by the host bee.
Where is Sphecodes ephippius found?
The species is described as Palearctic, a region covering much of Europe, North Africa, and northern Asia. Correct identification also depends on the local habitat and the ground-nesting host bees present there.
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