Euryglossa ephippiata

Euryglossa ephippiata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Colletidae
Genus: Euryglossa
Species:
E. ephippiata
Binomial name
Euryglossa ephippiata
Synonyms
  • Euryglossa nigra Smith, 1879
  • Euryglossa (Euryglossimorpha) cincticornis Cockerell, 1913
  • Euryglossa polysticta Cockerell, 1922
  • Euryglossa aurescens obscura Cockerell, 1929

Euryglossa ephippiata, also known as the red-saddled broad-tongue, is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and the subfamily Euryglossinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1862 by English entomologist Frederick Smith.[1][2] It was extensively synonymised in 1976 by Australian entomologist Elizabeth Exley.[3]

Description

Body length is 10 mm. The head is black, the thorax blood-red above, the abdomen dark olive-green.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in eastern Australia from Queensland southwards to Tasmania.[2]

Behaviour

The adults are flying mellivores with sedentary larvae. They nest in soil. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Angophora, Bursaria, Callistemon, Cotoneaster, Eucalyptus, Jacksonia, Leptospermum, Leucopogon and Melaleuca species.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Smith, F (1862). "Descriptions of new species of Australian Hymenoptera, and of a species of Formica from New Zealand". Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. 3 (1): 53–62 [58]. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  2. ^ a b c d "Species Euryglossa ephippiata Smith, 1862". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  3. ^ Exley, EM (1976). "Revision of the subgenus Euryglossa Smith (Apoidea: Colletidae: Euryglossinae)". Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series. 41: 1–72.