Megachile albidula: Difference between revisions
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{{speciesbox|name=''Megachile albidula''|genus=Megachile|authority=[[Johann Dietrich Alfken|Alfken]], 1931}} |
{{speciesbox|name=''Megachile albidula''|genus=Megachile|authority=[[Johann Dietrich Alfken|Alfken]], 1931}} |
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'''''Megachile albidula''''' is a species of [[bee]] in the family [[Megachilidae]].<ref name="biolib">{{cite web |url=http://www.biolib.cz/en/formsearch/?action=execute&searcharea=1&string=megachile |title=''Megachile'' |year=2014 |work=BioLib |accessdate=30 September 2014}}</ref> It was described by [[Johann Dietrich Alfken]] in 1931.<ref name="biolib"/> |
'''''Megachile albidula''''' is a species of [[bee]] in the family [[Megachilidae]].<ref name="biolib">{{cite web |url=http://www.biolib.cz/en/formsearch/?action=execute&searcharea=1&string=megachile |title=''Megachile'' |year=2014 |work=BioLib |accessdate=30 September 2014}}</ref> It was described by [[Johann Dietrich Alfken]] in 1931.<ref name="biolib"/> |
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==Description== |
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''Megachile albidula'' is a solitary,<ref name="BioNET">{{cite web|url=http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/bee_genera/key/african_bee_genera/Media/Html_eafrica/Megachile_bees.htm|title=''Megachile'' bees - Factsheet|publisher=BioNET-EAFRINET|accessdate=28 August 2015}}</ref> robust, non-metallic bee.<ref name="Mitchell1962">{{cite book|last=Mitchell|first=Theodore B.|title=Bees of the Eastern United States|volume=2|year=1962|publisher=North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station|page=557|issue=152}}</ref> The basal section of [[tergum]] is concave towards the front and is without ridges. The species is black in colour and its dorsal [[metathorax]] (metanotum) is almost perpendicular with the rear of its [[propodeum]]. The margin at the posterior is roughly straight and it has a broad scutellum. The bee's [[tubercle]]s and [[Pleuron (insect anatomy)|pleura]] are without carinae (elevated ridges). It has linear notaulices. The front coxae of males are often spinose. The two recurrent veins of the front wings are attached to a submarginal cell. The species has dentate mandibles;<ref name="Mitchell1962"/> these are large in females.<ref name="BioNET"/> It has four visible sternites ([[Sternum (arthropod anatomy)|ventrites]]) as well as four sternites that are not visible. ''Megachile'' species have three maxillary palps, and male specimens have larger tarsi at the front.<ref name="Mitchell1962"/> |
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A female ''Megachile albidula'' takes pollen and nectar to its nest to create a "bee loaf" (saliva, pollen and nectar).<ref name="ForestService"/> Once this bee loaf is substantial, a female will deposit an egg upon this and chew up leaves to form a small, round cavity around the bee loaf and egg. The female will continue doing this until it completely fills its nest with eggs; it will then construct a thick wall around the nest from leaves. When the eggs hatch, the bees will feed on these bee loaves until they reach maturity, and will gnaw at the walls the following spring to leave the nest.<ref name="ForestService"/> Females carry pollen under their [[abdomen|abdomina]].<ref name="ForestService">{{cite web|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/megachile_bees.shtml|title=''Megachile'' bees|publisher=Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=28 August 2015}}</ref> |
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As a leaf-cutter bee, females of ''Megachile albidula'' may cut sections of leaves in oval or circular shapes to line the cells of its nest. Alternatively, they might use dried plant resin to line nest cells, which it carries in its [[mandible]]. The species creates its nests in soil, in stems of plants, in twigs, or will tunnel through rotting wood to create nests.<ref name="Mitchell1962"/> It does not produce honey and has a weak sting which it uses in defence. The species pollinates wild plants and crops and is a small or medium-sized bee.<ref name="BioNET"/> The genus name ''Megachile'' comes from [[Greek language|Greek]] words mega (large; μεγας) and cheil (lips; χειλ), which refers to [[Insect mouthparts|mouthparts]] of species in the genus.<ref name="BugGuide">{{cite web|url=http://bugguide.net/node/view/7751|title=Genus ''Megachile'' - Leaf-cutter bees|publisher=BugGuide, Iowa State University|accessdate=28 August 2015}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{megachile-stub}} |
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[[Category:Megachile|Albidula]] |
[[Category:Megachile|Albidula]] |
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Revision as of 21:56, 28 November 2015
| Megachile albidula | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Megachilidae |
| Genus: | Megachile |
| Species: | M. albidula
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| Binomial name | |
| Megachile albidula Alfken, 1931
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Megachile albidula is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae.[1] It was described by Johann Dietrich Alfken in 1931.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Megachile". BioLib. 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.