description Melitta tricincta Overview
Melitta tricincta is a solitary bee in the family Melittidae found in parts of Europe. It is strongly associated with red bartsia, Odontites vernus, from which females collect the pollen used to provision their underground brood cells; this narrow preference makes the bee dependent on habitats supporting that plant. Adults are generally encountered in late summer in flower-rich grasslands, field margins, and other open sites where red bartsia grows.
help Melitta tricincta FAQ
What plant is Melitta tricincta associated with?
Melitta tricincta is strongly associated with red bartsia, Odontites vernus. Females collect pollen from this plant to provision their underground brood cells.
Where is Melitta tricincta found?
This solitary bee occurs in parts of Europe. Its dependence on red bartsia makes suitable flowering habitat especially important for its populations.
Where does Melitta tricincta raise its young?
Females create underground brood cells in nests dug into the soil. They fill those cells with pollen gathered from red bartsia.
Why is red bartsia important to Melitta tricincta?
The species has a narrow pollen preference centered on Odontites vernus. A decline in red bartsia can therefore reduce the food available for developing Melitta tricincta larvae.
explore Explore More
Similar to Melitta tricincta
compare_arrows Compare: Pantaloon Bee (Dasypoda hirt... See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
