Megachilidae

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Megachilidae
Temporal range: Middle Eocene – recent, 45–0  Ma
Anthidium manicatum male.jpg
Male European wool carder bee, Anthidium manicatum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Infraorder: Aculeata
Superfamily: Apoidea
Clade: Anthophila
Family: Megachilidae
Subfamilies

Fideliinae
Lithurginae
Parharhophitinae
Megachilinae

Contents

A leaf-cutter bee showing abdominal scopa Leaf-cutter-bee.jpg
A leaf-cutter bee showing abdominal scopa

Megachilidae is a cosmopolitan family of mostly solitary bees. Characteristic traits of this family are the restriction of their pollen-carrying structure (called a scopa ) to the ventral surface of the abdomen (rather than mostly or exclusively on the hind legs as in other bee families), and their typically elongated labrum. [1] Megachilid genera are most commonly known as mason bees and leafcutter bees , reflecting the materials from which they build their nest cells (soil or leaves, respectively); a few collect plant or animal hairs and fibers, and are called carder bees, while others use plant resins in nest construction and are correspondingly called resin bees. All species feed on nectar and pollen, but a few are kleptoparasites (informally called "cuckoo bees"), feeding on pollen collected by other megachilid bees. Parasitic species do not possess scopae. The motion of Megachilidae in the reproductive structures of flowers is energetic and swimming-like; this agitation releases large amounts of pollen.

Life cycle

Nonparasites

Life cycle LeafCutterLyd.png
Life cycle

Nonparasitic Megachilidae typically divide their nests into cells. Each cell receives a supply of food (pollen or a pollen/nectar mix) and an egg; after finding a suitable spot (often near where she emerged), a female starts building a first cell, stocks it, and oviposits. She builds a wall that separates the completed cell from the next one. The larva hatches from the egg and consumes the food supply. After moulting a few times, it spins a cocoon and pupates. It emerges from the nest as an adult. Males die shortly after mating, but females survive for another few weeks, during which they build new nests.

Nests are often built in natural or artificial cavities. Some embed individual cells in a mass of clay or resin attached to a wall, rock surface, or plant stem. Nest cavities are often linear, for example in hollow plant stems, but not always (snail shells are used by some Osmia, and some species readily use irregular cavities).[ citation needed ]

Parasites

Some genera of megachilids are brood parasites, so have no ventral scopa (e.g. Stelis and Coelioxys ). They often parasitize related taxa. They typically enter the nest before it is sealed and lay their eggs in a cell. After hatching, the parasite larva kills the host larva, unless the female parasite has already done so, and then consumes the provisions. Parasitic species are of equal size or smaller than their victims. In 1921, the journal American Museum Novitates published a preliminary report on parasitic megachilid bees of the western United States. [2]

Diversity

North America has an estimated 630 different megachilid species, including Megachile , Anthidium , Hoplitis , and Osmia . Most Megachilidae are native, and a few are introduced, accidentally and intentionally; globally the number of species identified exceeds 4,000. [3] [4] Thus Megachilidae represent 15% to 20% of named species of bees.

The scientific name Megachilidae refers to the genus Megachile, translating roughly as large lipped (Ancient Greek μέγᾰς (mégas, "big") + χεῖλος (kheîlos, "lip"); their "large lips" and strong jaws are well-suited for collection of nest building materials.

Most Megachilidae build their nests in above-ground cavities; they all are solitary bees. Their nesting habits means that in some studies of bee diversity, this bee family is most likely to be the one encountered, even though the many ground nesting bees are much greater in species numbers (~70% of all bee species are ground nesters). For example, in Krombein's trap-nesting survey (1967), almost all bees that nested in his offerings were Megachilid species—40 of 43 occupying bee species. (They were outnumbered in diversity by almost twice as many species of wasps (75) that utilized the nests). [5]

Because they are (mostly) above-ground nesters and more commonly attracted to artificial nests, megachilid bees are also more commonly cultivated than ground nesting solitary bees. They accept nesting materials made from hollow stems, tubes, and blocks with preformed holes ("nest blocks"), and several megachilids have become important species for agricultural / horticultural pollination. In North America these cultivated bees include the introduced Megachile rotundata, (alfalfa leafcutter bees), used extensively in alfalfa pollination, and the western native and frequently raised Osmia lignaria (the orchard mason bee or blue orchard bee), used in orchard pollination. Other Osmia and Megachile species are also in commercial use in North America, Europe and Asia.

A suite of megachilid rely on plant resins for nest construction. These "resin bees" are typically smaller than honey bees, and effective pollinators, although the hard glue-like resins can complicate management of other tunnel nesting bees. Carder bees, Anthidium, are unique for using plant fibers; there are 80 to 90 species of them in North America. Ironically, a non-native is best known—A. manicatum, the European wool carder bee, was accidentally introduced to the Americas in the late '60s and has now spread across the continent. It has been described as "... perhaps the most widely distributed unmanaged bee species in the world." [6] Like most Anthidium, rather than cutting leaves or petals, A. manicatum scrapes the hairs from leaves to use for nesting material. [7] It is atypical because the male is larger than the female and constantly on patrol, protecting a "harem" by chasing and even attacking all interlopers including honey and bumble bees, its tail equipped with multiple prongs that can knife in between the segments of almost any intruder. [8]

Neither the introduced Anthidium nor its American cousins are considered parasites, only territorial and at times aggressive, though some genera are, including Coelioxys (kleptoparasites mostly of leafcutter bees), and Stelis (kleptoparasites of leafcutter and mason bees).

While some Megachilidae are extensively studied for their commercial possibilities (or impacts), others are studied by naturalists. Mason bees, not commonly cultivated, are known through extended observation and writings in the last half of the 19th century by Jean-Henri Fabre, with his writings made further famous by his English translator Alexander Teixeira de Mattos ("The Mason Bee"); Fabre wrote many observations, including of other Megachilidae, from his home in France, and his writings inspired many future researchers and enthusiasts, from Charles Darwin to Gerald Durrell.

Evolution and taxonomy

Carder bee (Anthidium manicatum), female Anthidium manicatum fem.jpg
Carder bee ( Anthidium manicatum ), female
Male Haetosmia vechti, foraging on Heliotropium in Mevo Horon, West Bank Haetosmia male 1.jpg
Male Haetosmia vechti , foraging on Heliotropium in Mevo Horon, West Bank
Coelioxys acanthura, female Female Coelioxys on Carlina curetum 1.JPG
Coelioxys acanthura, female
Osmia ribifloris Osmia ribifloris bee.jpg
Osmia ribifloris
Male Anthidium florentinum visiting Lantana Anthidium September 2007-7.jpg
Male Anthidium florentinum visiting Lantana

The fossil record for megachilid bees is poor, but a Middle Eocene dicotyledonous leaf shows definite semicircular cutouts along its margin, implying that leaf-cutting bees existed at that time. [9] Multiply-cut leaves and rare body fossils from the Eocene of Germany and the Paleocene of France suggest that Megachilinae began cutting leaves early in their evolution. [10] Phylogenetic analysis yields an age consistent with this Eocene origin for the group. [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>Megachile rotundata</i> Species of bee

Megachile rotundata, the alfalfa leafcutting bee, is a European bee that has been introduced to various regions around the world. As a solitary bee species, it does not build colonies or store honey, but is a very efficient pollinator of alfalfa, carrots, other vegetables, and some fruits. Because of this, farmers often use M. rotundata as a pollination aid by distributing M. rotundata prepupae around their crops. Each female constructs and provisions her own nest, which is built in old trees or log tunnels. Being a leafcutter bee, these nests are lined with cut leaves. These bees feed on pollen and nectar and display sexual dimorphism. This species has been known to bite and sting, but it poses no overall danger unless it is threatened or harmed, and its sting has been described as half as painful as a honey bee's.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason bee</span> Genus of insects

Mason bee is a name now commonly used for species of bees in the genus Osmia, of the family Megachilidae. Mason bees are named for their habit of using mud or other "masonry" products in constructing their nests, which are made in naturally occurring gaps such as between cracks in stones or other small dark cavities. When available, some species preferentially use hollow stems or holes in wood made by wood-boring insects.

<i>Osmia lignaria</i> Species of bee

Osmia lignaria, commonly known as the orchard mason bee or blue orchard bee, is a megachilid bee that makes nests in natural holes and reeds, creating individual cells for its brood that are separated by mud dividers. Unlike carpenter bees, it cannot drill holes in wood. O. lignaria is a common species used for early spring fruit bloom in the United States and Canada, though a number of other Osmia species are cultured for use in pollination.

<i>Megachile</i> Genus of bees

The genus Megachile is a cosmopolitan group of solitary bees, often called leafcutter bees or leafcutting bees; it also includes the called resin bees and mortar bees. While other genera within the family Megachilidae may chew leaves or petals into fragments to build their nests, certain species within Megachile neatly cut pieces of leaves or petals, hence their common name. This is one of the largest genera of bees, with more than 1500 species in over 50 subgenera. The alfalfa leafcutter bee is managed on a commercial scale for crop pollination, and has been introduced by humans to various regions around the world.

<i>Osmia bicornis</i> Species of bee

Osmia bicornis is a species of mason bee, and is known as the red mason bee due to its covering of dense gingery hair. It is a solitary bee that nests in holes or stems and is polylectic, meaning it forages pollen from various different flowering plants. These bees can be seen aggregating together and nests in preexisting hollows, choosing not to excavate their own. These bees are not aggressive; they will only sting if handled very roughly and are safe to be closely observed by children. Females only mate once, usually with closely related males. Further, females can determine the sex ratio of their offspring based on their body size, where larger females will invest more in diploid females eggs than small bees. These bees also have trichromatic colour vision and are important pollinators in agriculture.

<i>Anthidium manicatum</i> Species of bee

Anthidium manicatum, commonly called the European wool carder bee, is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter bees or mason bees.

<i>Anthidium oblongatum</i> Species of bee

Anthidium oblongatum, the oblong woolcarder bee, is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees. It is native to Eurasia and north Africa, and has also been introduced to North America.

<i>Megachile campanulae</i> Species of bee

Megachile campanulae, known as the bellflower resin bee, is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae. Described in 1903, these solitary bees are native to eastern North America. Studies in 2013 placed them among the first insect species to use synthetic materials for making nests. They are considered mason bees, which is a common descriptor of bees in several families, including Megachilidae. Within the genus Megachile, frequently also referred to as leafcutter bees, M. campanulae is a member of the subgenus Chelostomoides, which do not construct nests from cut leaves, but rather from plant resins and other materials. Females lay eggs in nests constructed with individual cell compartments for each egg. Once hatched, the eggs progress through larval stages and subsequently will overwinter as pupae. The bees are susceptible to parasitism from several other bee species, which act as brood parasites. They are medium-sized bees and the female adults are typically larger than the males. They are important pollinators of numerous native plant species throughout their range.

Megachile angelarum is a species of bee in the Megachilidae family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megachilinae</span> Subfamily of bees

Megachilinae is the largest subfamily of bees in the family Megachilidae.It includes mason bees, leafcutter bees, and carder bees.

Megachile abacula is a species of bee in the Megachilidae family.

Megachile zombae is a species of bee in the Megachilidae family. Natively endemic to Malawi and identified in 1977, these are solitary bees. The name derives from Greek mega 'large' + cheil- (χειλ) 'lip' and a district Zomba, in Malawi.

<i>Coelioxys</i> Genus of bees

Coelioxys, common name leaf-cutting cuckoo bees or sharp-tailed bees, is a genus of solitary kleptoparasitic cuckoo bees belonging to the family Megachilidae.

<i>Megachile macularis</i> Species of leafcutter bee (Megachile)

Megachile macularis is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by Karl Wilhelm von Dalla Torre in 1896.It is commonly known as the leafcutter bee, is a fascinating solitary bee species renowned for its distinctive behaviors and ecological significance. Belonging to the Megachilidae family, these bees are recognized for their remarkable leaf-cutting activities, where they use mandibles to meticulously cut circular or oval pieces from leaves. Unlike honeybees, they are solitary in nature, constructing individual nests in natural cavities or human-made structures. Megachile macularis plays a crucial role in pollination, contributing to the reproduction of numerous plant species. Their unique nesting habits and efficient pollination make them essential contributors to ecosystem health and biodiversity.

<i>Megachile melanophaea</i> Species of bee

Megachile melanophaea is a species of leaf-cutter bee in the family Megachilidae. It was first described by the British zoologist Frederick Smith in 1853. It is native to North America.

<i>Megachile texana</i> Species of bee

Megachile texana, the Texas leafcutter bee, is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae. It was first described by the American entomologist Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878. It is native to the United States and southern Canada.

Megachile umatillensis is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by Mitchell in 1927.

<i>Megachile willughbiella</i> Species of leafcutter bee (Megachile)

Megachile willughbiella, Willughby's leaf-cutter bee is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by the English entomologist William Kirby in 1802; he named it in honour of the ornithologist Francis Willughby.

<i>Euglossa cordata</i> Species of bee

Euglossa cordata is a primitively eusocial orchid bee of the American tropics. The species is known for its green body color and ability to fly distances of over 50 km. Males mostly disperse and leave their home nests, while females have been observed to possess philopatric behavior. Because of this, sightings are rare and little is known about the species. However, it has been observed that adults who pollinate certain species of orchids will become intoxicated during the pollination.

<i>Trachusa byssina</i> Species of bee

Trachusa byssina is a species of bees within the genus Trachusa.

References

  1. ↑ C. D. Michener (2007) The Bees of the World, 2nd Edition, pg. 122, Johns Hopkins University Press.
  2. ↑ Cockerell, Theodore; Lutz, Frank Eugene (1 December 1921). "Some parasitic megachilid bees of the western United States" (PDF). American Museum Novitates (21). Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  3. ↑ BugGuide. "Megachilidae". BugGuide. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  4. ↑ 630 spp. in 18 genera of 4 tribes and 2 subfamilies in our area, ~4,100 spp. in ~80 genera of 11 tribes and 4 subfamilies worldwide(1)
  5. ↑ Krombein, Karl V. (1967). Trap-nesting wasps and bees: life histories, nests, and associates. Smithsonian Press. p. 2. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  6. ↑ Gonzalez, V.H. and Griswold, T.L. (1 June 2013). "Wool carder bees of the genus Anthidium in the Western Hemisphere (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): diversity, host plant associations, phylogeny, and biogeography". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 168 (2): 221–425. doi:10.1111/zoj.12017.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ Michener, C. D. (2000). "73. Family Megachilidae". Bees of the World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 417–569. ISBN   978-0801861338.
  8. ↑ Honey Bee Suite (20 February 2011). "Native pollinator - wool carder bee". honeybeesuite.com. Rusty Burlew. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  9. ↑ Victor H. (June 2008). Phylogeny and Classification of the Bee Tribe Megachilini (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Megachilidae), with Emphasis on the Genus Megachile. Vol. UMI 3316016. pp. 54–56. ISBN   978-0-549-68378-0.
  10. ↑ Wedmann, Soni a; Wappler, Torsten; Engel, Michael S. (June 2009). "Direct and indirect fossil records of megachilid bees from the Paleogene of Central Europe (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)" . Naturwissenschaften. 96 (6): 703–712. Bibcode:2009NW.....96..703W. doi:10.1007/s00114-009-0525-x. PMID   19296064. S2CID   9394816.
  11. ↑ Cardinal, Sophie; Danforth, Bryan N. (January 2013). "Bees diversified in the age of eudicots". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 280 (1755): 20122686. doi:10.1098/rspb.2012.2686. PMC   3574388 . PMID   23363629.
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