Tumidihesma tridentata
| Tumidihesma tridentata | |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Colletidae |
| Genus: | Tumidihesma |
| Species: | T. tridentata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tumidihesma tridentata | |
Tumidihesma tridentata is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and the subfamily Euryglossinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1996 by Australian entomologist Elizabeth Exley.[1][2]
Etymology
The specific epithet tridentata refers to the three-toothed mandibles characteristic of the genus.[1]
Description
Only female specimens have been collected; males are unknown. Body length is 6 mm, wing length 4 mm. The head is black with a reddish-brown clypeus. The species is distinguished by the colour of the clypeus from that of its congener T. flaviceps, which is golden-yellow.[1]
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in arid parts of central and southern inland Australia. The type locality is 39 km east of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. It has also been recorded from Higginsville in Western Australia and Lock on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.[2][1]
Behaviour
The adults are flying mellivores. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Eucalyptus and Leptospermum species.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e Exley, EM (1996). "Tumidihesma, a new genus of Australian bees (Hymenoptera: Colletidae: Euryglossinae)". Australian Journal of Entomology. 35 (3): 253–255 [253]. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ^ a b c d "Species Tumidihesma tridentata Exley, 1996". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-10.