Masked Bee
( Hylaeus sp. )


2010-0601-EB330001-HYM00458-Hylaeus_sp[1411h40s,F,A,tree-leaf]{EXD}-G.jpg

IDENTIFICATION
Identification:Hylaeus sp.
(Fabricius, 1793)
Common Name:Masked Bee
Life Stage:A

PHYLOGENY

Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Superorder:Holometabola
Order:Hymenoptera
Suborder:Apocrita
Family:Colletidae
Subfamily:Hylaeinae
Genus:Hylaeus
Taxon Code:HYM00458
ITIS TSN#:154346

LOCATION DETAILS
Location
Martin Luther King Regional Shor, Garretson Point, Garretson Point Trail, Francisco Bay Trail, Oakland
County:Alameda County
ECI Site#:CAEB330000
Park/Forest:Martin Luther King Regional Shoreline, EBRPD

RECOGNITION
These are small, black and yellow/white wasp-like bee species. The resemblance to wasps is enhanced by the absence of ventral abdominal hairs used to collect pollen, a feature typical among bees. Hylaeus often have the clypeus (plate above the labium) yellow to which it owes its name masked bee.

BIOLOGY
Nesting
Like most colletids, the liquid provisions are sealed inside a membranous cellophane-like cell lining; nests are typically in dead twigs or plant stems, or other similarly small natural cavities, rather than constructing or excavating their own nests as in many other bees.
Distribution
Worldwide

HABITAT

CREDITS
Photographer
Eddie Dunbar

REFERENCES
  • BugGuide [ IMAGES ]
  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System TSN#154346
  • Wikipedia


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