California Digger-cuckoo Bee
Brachymelecta californica
Apidae
Brachymelecta
Description
Brachymelecta californica are cuckoo bees: they parasitize the nests of Anthophora digger bees. Formerly placed in genus Xeromelecta, these bees have a distinct pattern of broken, white-striped hairs on their abdomens, and gray-white hairs on their thorax and head. Females lack scopae on legs.
Nectar/
Pollen Plants
Nectar generalists; no care for pollen
Habits
Cleptoparasitic of nests of Digger Bees, including Anthophora edwardsii and Anthophora urbana. Like Melecta, it sneaks into an unoccupied Anthophora nest and lays an egg in the provisioned nest. Its larva hatches, kills the host bee larva and eats the nest provisions. The larva pupates in the cell and typically emerges in very late Spring or in Summer.
Season
June - August
