Amegilla xylocopoides

Amegilla xylocopoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Amegilla
Species:
A. xylocopoides
Binomial name
Amegilla xylocopoides
Leijs, 2020[1][2]

Amegilla xylocopoides or Amegilla (Asaropoda) xylocopoides is a species of digger bee. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2020 by entomologist Remko Leys.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific epithet xylocopoides refers to a superficial resemblance, in hair and wing colouration, to female carpenter bees Xylocopa (Koptortosoma) spp.[1]

Description

The body length is 16–19 mm, forewing length 13–16 mm, head width 6–7 mm.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in Far North Queensland on the Cape York Peninsula. The male holotype was collected 19 km south-east of Laura and the female allotype at Iron Range.[1][2]

Behaviour

Male territorial behaviour has been observed taking place over water vegetated with native water hyacinth, Monochoria australasica.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Leijs, R; Dorey, J; Hogendoorn, K (2020). "The genus Amegilla (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Anthophorini) in Australia: a revision of the subgenus Asaropoda". ZooKeys (908): 45–122 [115]. doi:10.3897/zookeys.908.47375. PMC 7010838. PMID 32076376.
  2. ^ a b c "Species Amegilla (Asaropoda) xylocopoides Leijs, 2020". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-28.