Exoneura bicolor
| Exoneura bicolor | |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Genus: | Exoneura |
| Species: | E. bicolor
|
| Binomial name | |
| Exoneura bicolor | |
Exoneura bicolor or Exoneura (Exoneura) bicolor, also known as the bicoloured reed bee, is a species of reed bee in the tribe Allodapini. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1854 by English entomologist Frederick Smith.[1][2]
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and southern Queensland.[2]
Behaviour
The adults are flying mellivores with sedentary larvae. They are semisocial insects that build nests in the dead, dry stems and fronds of various plants. Two or more females may occupy a nest and lay eggs in a communal chamber. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Boronia, Daviesia, Helichrysum, Hypochaeris, Jacksonia and Pultenaea species.[2]
References
- ^ a b Smith, F (1854). Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. Part II. Apidae. London: British Museum. pp. 199–465 [232].
- ^ a b c d "Species Exoneura (Exoneura) bicolor Smith, 1854". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-01-07.