Exoneura roddiana

Exoneura roddiana
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Exoneura
Species:
E. roddiana
Binomial name
Exoneura roddiana

Exoneura roddiana, or Exoneura (Brevineura) roddiana, is a species of reed bee in the tribe Allodapini. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1946 by Australian entomologist Tarlton Rayment.[1][2]

Description

The body length is 4 mm. The head, thorax and abdomen are black.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in south-eastern Australia. The type locality is Lane Cove in Sydney. It has also been recorded from the Grampians of western Victoria.[2][1]

Behaviour

The adults are flying mellivores with sedentary larvae. They nest in dead, dry plant stems, including Lantana. Two or more adult females may occupy one nest, though not all females lay eggs. All immature stages are found in the communal chamber, with the larvae fed progressively. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Acacia species.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Rayment, T (1946). "New bees and wasps—Part II. Describing two black species of Exoneura". Victorian Naturalist. 62: 230–236 [230]. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  2. ^ a b c d "Species Exoneura (Brevineura) roddiana Rayment, 1946". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-01-18.