Ctenocolletes tigris

Ctenocolletes tigris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Stenotritidae
Genus: Ctenocolletes
Species:
C. tigris
Binomial name
Ctenocolletes tigris
Houston, 1983[1][2]

Ctenocolletes tigris is a species of bee in the family Stenotritidae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1983 by Australian entomologist Terry Houston.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific epithet tigris (Latin: “tiger”) alludes to the colour pattern of black and yellow integumental bands across the metasoma.[1][2]

Description

The body length of males is 16.5 mm; that of females is 16–19 mm.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in the Great Victoria Desert of Western Australia. The holotype was collected 36 km north-north-east of Neale Junction. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Dicrastylis, Baeckea, Wehlia, Acacia, Ptilotus, Grevillea, Newcastelia, Teucrium, Thryptomene and Solanum species.[1][2]

Behaviour

The adults are solitary, flying mellivores, with sedentary larvae, that nest in burrows dug in soil.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Houston, TF (1983). "A new species of Ctenocolletes (Hymenoptera: Stenotritidae)". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 10 (4): 307–313 [307]. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Species Ctenocolletes tigris Houston, 1983". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-12.