Megachile campanulae
Bellflower resin bee | |
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Male M. campanulae | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Megachilidae |
Genus: | Megachile |
Subgenus: | Chelostomoides |
Species: | M. campanulae
|
Binomial name | |
Megachile campanulae (
Robertson, 1903)[1] | |
Subspecies[2] | |
| |
Distribution of M. campanulae | |
Synonyms[3] | |
Oligotropus campanulae |
Megachile campanulae, known as the bellflower resin bee, is a species of
Taxonomy and naming
Megachile campanulae was originally described in 1903 under the name Oligotropus campanulae by
Life cycle and behavior
As a member of the subgenus
Males typically emerge in advance of females. They will die shortly after mating. The female bees survive for another few weeks, during which time they build new nests and gather provisions.[10] Adult bees are active from April to September throughout most of the range. In Florida, that have been collected as early as February and as late as November. Flight times are typically May–October in cooler climates of their range.[5]
Solitary bees, such as M. campanulae, do not form colonies. While
Synthetic nest materials
In the wild, M. campanulae seal off their cells within the nest with natural
Distribution and habitat
The range of M. campanulae covers a broad expanse of the eastern North American continent. They are native to southern Ontario.[18] The range extends from this southeastern Canadian province, through the New England states to Florida. The range extends west, as far as Minnesota, Nebraska and Texas.[20] A few reports of sightings further west are noted, including presence in Colorado and Montana.[21]
Morphology and identification
M. campanulae are medium-sized bees. Anatomically, they have a head, a middle section called a
Morphologically, M. campanulae most resemble Megachile angelarum. There are also marked similarities in appearance between M. campanulae and M. exilis. The males of M. exilis have characteristically dilated and hollowed out front tarsal leg segments. The tarsi in M. campanulae are not modified and are otherwise unremarkable.[3][5]
Females
M. campanulae females measure 10–12 millimeters (0.39–0.47 in) in length. Although they resemble M. angelarum, the white banding (
Head
The mandibles have 4 tooth-like (dentate) ridges, which lack cutting edges. The compound eyes are nearly vertically aligned, but converge slightly towards front of the face or
Mesosoma
Along the lateral and posterior aspects of the mesosoma, the pubescence is short, white, and sparsely distributed. The hairs are more densely collected around the pronotal lobes. There are a paucity of pale, very short hairs on the mesoscutum. The hairs are stiffer, whiter and longer on the scutellum. Punctate markings across the mseoscutum and scutellum are coarse, deep, and closely arranged. The spaces between the mesoscutum and scutellum are shiny and very narrow. Punctate markings are finer on the axilla, where they are closely arranged. The pleura demonstrate punctate markings which are coarse and deep. These are densely arranged anteriorly. The pleura are shiny between the punctate markings. Lateral aspects of the propodeum are dull. They are overall smooth, except some fine and shallow punctures. These are closely arranged. The first tarsal segments are shorter and narrower than the tibiae. Yellow spurs are present on the legs. There are minute and closely spaced punctures on the skeletal plate covering the costal vein of the wing (tegula). The black veined wings are slightly cloudy at the apices and glassier at the bases.[3]
Metasoma
The second through fourth dorsal segments, or
Males
M. campanulae males measure 8–9 millimeters (0.31–0.35 in) in length. They also resemble M. angelarum. However, M. angelarum have around twice as many punctures between the lateral ocelli and vertex edges. They also have visible front coxal spines and short dark hairs at the 4th and 5th tergal segments.[3]
Head
The compound eyes of the male are very slightly convergent near the apex. There are 4-5 punctures present in the region separating the lateral ocelli and the vertex. The lateral ocelli are not quite equidistant between the eyes and the vertex margins. The clypea show tubercles near the midline. Puncture markings are very coarse, but become finer towards the apical margin. They are very closely spaced. The mandibles demonstrate three dentate ridges. The broadly triangular lower process is located along the midline. The gena are less broad than the compound eye. They show shallow indentations inferior to the mandibular base. Coarse punctures along the shiny vertex are deep and spaced at wide intervals. The puncture marks are not as coarse on the gena and they are more closely spaced. Deep punctate markings at the frons are tightly spaced and coarse. At the lateral aspects and above the clypeus, they are finely rugose. Pale pubescent markings are present on the head. Along the gena and vertex, the coverings are short and sparsely distributed. They are much more prominent and feathery in areas surrounding the antennae and the lower aspects of the face. The hairs are thick enough to obscure surface markings. They are even longer on the gena. The hairs are shorter on the lower mandibular surfaces and process. The anntenae have a pedicel that is about twice as long as F1. The width of F1 is about twice its length. It is shorter by a third in comparison to the remaining flagellomeres. The apical flagellomere is about twice as long as it is broad.[3]
Mesosoma
There are short, white pubescent hairs sporadically distributed along the lateral and posterior aspects of the mesosoma. They are more densely arranged along the upper surface of the prothorax. Hairs on the mesoscutum are short and infrequent. The hairs on the scutellum are longer and stiffer. Deep, ragged puncture marks are spaced closely together across the mesoscutum. The spaces between each punctate marking are less than the diameters of the marks. They are less closely associated on the scutellem. At the axilla, the markings are less ragged in appearance and are spaced very close together. The pleural surfaces are shiny, with puncture marks along the lower aspects being deep and ragged. Higher up, these markings are less ragged and less sparsely distributed. The lateral aspects of the propodeum are generally of a smoother texture, although there are crisp and shallow markings closely spaced. The spine along the anterior coxal aspect is nearly obliterated. The coxa are covered in dense white hairs. The anterior tarsus is dark. There are long brown hairs on the fronts of the first three tarsomeres. The more typical fringe of hairs along the posterior aspect is absent. There is a robust mid-tibial spur. The slim middle and posterior tarsi show yellow spurs. There are tiny puncture marks closely spaced together on the tegula. The black veined wings are slightly cloudy at the apices and glassier at the bases.[3]
Metasoma
The metasomal segment the first tergum is densely covered in long, white hairs. There are circumscribed areas on the second and third terga which are covered very slightly with pale and barely noticeable hairs. At the 4th and 5th terga, these pale hairs are more evident, longer and stiffer. The first three tergal segments are banded with white stripes along lateral apical aspects. There are deep grooves at the bases of all but the first tergum. These segments also show white banding. The margins are keel-like at the base. The apices have yellowish, hyaline appearance. The first and last terga have Punctate markings, which are sharply demarcated and closely spaced together. In between, coarse puncture marks are present of the other terga. They are deep and spaced at regular intervals, with spacings roughly one diameter of a puncture mark away from then next. The sixth tergum has small punctate marks close enough together that they are essentially contiguous, particularly towards the midline. The sixth tergum segment is vertically arranged. It is banded with white fascia at the base. It is covered elsewhere in pale tomentose hairs which darken medially. The seventh tergal segment is present transversely, but not appreciated medially. The first three sternal segments are clearly visualized and swollen at the edges. The apical margins are close covered with dense long white hairs. The fourth segment is unmodified but retracted, so non-apparent.[3]
The subspecies Megachile campanulae wilmingtoni (Mitchell) is characterized by larger size 11–12 millimetres (0.43–0.47 in), dark pubescence present on the 6th tergum, and darker wings with a brownish tinge. In the female, hairs on the pollen carrying apparatus (scopa) are black at the 6th sternal segment. Distribution is along the southeastern coast of the United States into Florida, where is assumes the predominant form.[5]
Parasites and diseases
Megachile campanulae can be parasitized by a number of brood parasites, including
Mold growth was shown to be problematic in the Toronto study, particularly when synthetic materials were incorporated in nest construction.[18] Chalkbrood is known to affect the related species, M. rotundata.[24]
Human interaction
More focus is being directed on interactions between humans and native pollinators, such as M. campanulae. These relationships are complex, involving issues of habitat loss, pesticides and toxin exposures, climate change, and other effects on the environment.[25] The species M. campunulae pollinates of a wide array of flowers and crops. The significance of contributions from native pollinators is gaining increased attention in the wake of declines in managed bee populations. Such declines have received substantial press, especially in relation to colony collapse disorder. In 2013, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer introduced H. R. 2692 the "Save America's Pollinators Act".[26] In addition, an International Pollinator Initiative has been developed by the Food and Agriculture of the United Nations working group.[27] A similar project, the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign might more directly address issues specific to M. campanuale.[28]
On a smaller scale, human behaviors adversely affecting populations of bees, such as M. campanulae, can be mediated in other ways. Many native bee species can be managed with minimal equipment. M. campanulae will nest in simple bee boxes. These are constructed in simplest form by drilling holes in a block of wood. The wood is attached to a post or wall, ideally in an area receiving adequate sun. Holes of different diameter will be suited better for different bee species.[29] Since native pollinators forage in an area within about 500 yards (460 m) of the nest, they can increase the productivity of a small garden.[13]
Sparse literature has been devoted to effects of pesticides on M. campunulae specifically. However, in general pesticide exposure is detrimental to native bee populations. Bees can be harmed by numerous classes of pesticides including: insecticides, fungicides, herbicides,
Pollination
Megachile bees pollinate of a broad array of flowering plants from different families.[12] M. campanulae has been documented to pollinate the following:[5]
- Asclepias – Milkweed
- Baptisia – Wild indigo
- Campanula – Bellflower
- Galactia – Wild peas
- Malva – Mallow
- Melilotus – Sweet-clover
- Oenothera – Evening primrose
- Lobelia – Lobelias
- Lythrum – Loosestrife
- Nepeta – Catmints
- Pontederia – Pickerel weeds
- Psoralea – White tumbleweed
- Pycnanthemum – Mountain mints
- Rudbeckia – Coneflowers, black-eyed-susans
- Solidago - Goldenrods
- Strophostyles – Trailing wild bean
- Symphoricarpos – Snowberry, waxberry or ghostberry
- Verbena – Verbena or vervain
See also
References
- ^ "Megachile campanulae (Robertson, 1903)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Theodore B (1962). The Bees of the Eastern United States II (PDF). Technical bulletin (North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station). pp. 182–184. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ ISSN 1911-2173. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- hdl:10535/2554
- ^ a b c d e f "Megachile campanulae (Robertson, 1903)". DiscoverLife.Org. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Genus Megachile – Leaf-cutter and Resin Bees". BugGuide.Net. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ISSN 1911-2173. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Chelostomoides". UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department. Univ of Florida. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ISBN 0801861330.
- ^ Mader, Eric; Spivak, Marla; Evans, Elaine (Feb 2010). Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers, and Conservationists (PDF). SARE Handbook 11, NRAES – 186. pp. 70–93. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ Cranshaw, W.S. "Leafcutter Bees". Colorado State University Extension. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Megachile bees Factsheet". BioNET-EAFRINET. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Encouraging Native Pollinators". Univ of Arkansas. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ISBN 9781400848928.
- ^ a b "City bees line nests with plastic bags". University of Washington Conservation Magazine (Conservation This Week). February 13, 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ Goldman, Jason G (Jun 1, 2014). "Bees Living in Cities Are Building Their Homes with Plastic". Scientific American. 310 (6). Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ^ "Study: Bees Using Plastic To Help Build Their Nests". CBS DC. February 5, 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
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- ^ hdl:10315/27013.
- doi:10.1890/120126. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ Murray, Tom. "Species Megachile campanulae – Bellflower Resin Bee". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ISSN 0890-6882. Archived from the original(PDF) on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
- S2CID 23065476.
- ^ "Bees of the Week: genus Coelioxys". The bees needs. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- .
- ^ "Human-insect interactions: Bees". cnn.com. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ "Text of the Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2013". govtack.us. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ "Pollination and Human Livelihoods". Pollination Information Management System. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ^ "North American Pollinator Protection Campaign NAPPC". North American Pollinator Protection Campaign. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- ^ "How to make a Bee Hotel". The Pollinator Garden. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ^ "Why worry about native bees?". Native Bee Conservancy. Retrieved 6 October 2014.