description Coelioxys rufitarsis Overview
Coelioxys rufitarsis is a North American species of solitary cuckoo bee in the leafcutter-bee family Megachilidae. Females do not collect pollen for their own brood; instead, the species uses the nests of other bees, where its offspring develop at the expense of the host's provisions. Its pointed abdomen and nest-parasitic life cycle distinguish it from pollen-collecting leafcutter bees, and it is of interest to people studying bee diversity and pollination ecology.
help Coelioxys rufitarsis FAQ
What is Coelioxys rufitarsis?
Coelioxys rufitarsis is a North American solitary cuckoo bee in the leafcutter-bee family Megachilidae. It is a cleptoparasite, meaning its offspring use provisions prepared by another bee.
Does the female Coelioxys rufitarsis collect pollen for her own nest?
No. Females do not gather pollen to provision their own brood. Instead, they use the nests of other bees, where their offspring develop at the host's expense.
What does Coelioxys mean in relation to leafcutter bees?
Coelioxys species are commonly known as sharp-tailed or cuckoo leafcutter bees. They are related to leafcutter bees but have a parasitic nesting strategy rather than building and provisioning a normal nest for their own larvae.
How does Coelioxys rufitarsis affect its host bee?
The female places an egg in another bee's nest, where the developing larva uses the host's prepared food. The host therefore supplies the nest and provisions even though the parasite's offspring consumes them.
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