| Neolarra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Neolarra pruinosa female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Subfamily: | Nomadinae |
| Tribe: | Neolarrini |
| Genus: | Neolarra Ashmead, 1890 |
Neolarra is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae. There are about 16 described species in Neolarra, all from North America. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Smaller than a grain of rice, these bees lay eggs in the nests of Perdita bees; the Neolarra egg hatches and the larva eats the egg and food store intended for a Perdita larva. It enters while the host bee is gone to avoid detection. [5]
These 16 species belong to the genus Neolarra:
Data sources: i = ITIS, [1] c = Catalogue of Life, [2] g = GBIF, [3] b = Bugguide.net [4]
Ripiphoridae is a cosmopolitan family of some 450 described species of beetles sometimes called "wedge-shaped beetles". Ripiphoridae are unusual among beetle families in that many species are hypermetamorphic parasitoids, an attribute that they share with the Meloidae. Members of the family differ in their choice of hosts, but most attack various species of bees or wasps, while some others attack cockroaches or beetles. Many species of Ripiphoridae have abbreviated elytra, and flabellate or pectinate antennae.
Perdita is a large genus of small bees native to North America, particularly diverse in the desert regions of the United States and Mexico. There are over 600 currently recognized species of Perdita, plus more than 100 additional subspecies and many more species that remain undescribed. Perdita are usually quite small and often brightly colored with metallic reflections and/or yellow or white markings, and among the few lineages of bees incapable of stinging. The genus was extensively treated by P.H. Timberlake who, in addition to T.D.A. Cockerell, described most of the known species. Most species are extreme specialists (oligoleges) with respect to pollen and will only collect pollen from a few closely related species or genera of plants. Many species in this genus are called fairy bees.
Hesperapis is a genus of evening bees in the family Melittidae. There are at least 30 described species in Hesperapis.
Macrotera is a genus of bees native to North America, particularly diverse in the desert regions of the United States and Mexico. According to Wilson and Carril, there are "around 30" species of Macrotera. Macrotera are small to medium sized and often black or reddish in coloration. The genus was treated by P.H. Timberlake who, in addition to T.D.A. Cockerell, described most of the known species. Macrotera used to be considered part of the genus Perdita but was split apart by C.D. Michener in 2000. Most species are extreme specialists (oligoleges) with respect to pollen and will only collect pollen from a few closely related species or genera of plants, particularly the plant genus Sphaeralcea and various Cactaceae.
Epeolus is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae. They are often known as variegated cuckoo-bees.
Chelostoma is a genus of bees in the Osmiini tribe of the family Megachilidae. The genus is divided into 5 subgenera with at least 60 described species.
Trachusa is a genus of leafcutter, mason, and resin bees in the family Megachilidae. There are at least 50 described species in Trachusa.
Melitoma is a genus of chimney bees in the family Apidae. There are about 13 described species in Melitoma. Found in the Nearctic and Neotropics.
Ashmeadiella is a genus of bees in the family Megachilidae. There are more than 60 described species in Ashmeadiella.
Nomiinae is a subfamily of sweat bees in the family Halictidae. There are about 11 genera and at least 550 described species in Nomiinae.
Melecta is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae. There are at least 50 described species in Melecta.
Brachynomadini is a tribe of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae. There are at least 5 genera and 20 described species in Brachynomadini.
Protandrena is a genus of mining bees in the family Andrenidae. Depending upon whose definition of the genus one follows, there are anywhere from 50 to 180 described species in Protandrena; traditional classifications recognize 7 subgenera, some of which are sometimes elevated to genus rank, and other classifications place many of these species in the related genus Pseudopanurgus (e.g.), leaving Protandrena with a much smaller constituency. In the most inclusive definition, they are found from Canada through Argentina. However, there is current disagreement whether the Protandrena in South America belong to different genera, in which case the genus extends only as far south as Panama. They are solitary bees, but some species nest in aggregates. They prefer to nest in sunny areas with sparse vegetation. The underground nests have cells lined with a chemical substance. This "wallpaper" acts as a barrier between fungi and bacteria. The eggs hatch, the larvae develop, and then overwinter as mature larvae with hardened skinThey are primarily active from May to October, but have been noted to be active in April in the region six of the United States.
Panurginus is a genus of bees in the family Andrenidae. There are more than 50 described species in Panurginus.
Protosmia is a genus of subgenus Chelostomopsis in the family Megachilidae. There are more than 30 described species in Protosmia.
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