Epeolus

E409769

Epeolus is a genus of cleptoparasitic bees, often called cuckoo bees, known for laying their eggs in the nests of other bee species.

All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Epeolus canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf bee genus
genus
taxon
adultDiet nectar
pollen
behavior cleptoparasitic
bodyPlan segmented body with head thorax and abdomen
class Insecta
commonName cuckoo bees
conservationStatus varies by species and region
developmentalStage adult
egg
larva
pupa
diagnosticFeature often strongly patterned integument
reduced pollen-collecting structures
distribution Asia
Europe
Holarctic region
North America
ecologicalRole parasite of ground-nesting bees
family Apidae
habitat areas with host Colletes nests
open habitats
sandy soils
hasSpeciesCount dozens of described species
hostGenusSpecialization primarily Colletes bees
hostNestType ground nests
hostRelationship lays eggs in nests of other bee species
hostType solitary bees
includedIn Apinae and related Apidae systematics studies
kingdom Animalia
larvalBehavior kills or outcompetes host larvae
larvalDiet host bee provisions
lifeCycle holometabolous
namedAfter Greek word Epeolus or Epeolos (historical classical reference)
notableTrait does not build its own nests
order Hymenoptera NERFINISHED
parasitizes Colletes
phylum Arthropoda
pollinationRole indirect pollinator via adult foraging
reproduction oviposition in host nests
reproductiveStrategy brood parasitism
studiedIn behavioral ecology of brood parasitism
pollinator community research
subfamily Nomadinae
taxonRank genus
threatToHost reduces host reproductive success
wingType membranous wings

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Nomadinae contains Epeolus