''Melissodes verbesinarum'' is a species of
long-horned bees
The Eucerini (often called long-horned bees) are the most diverse tribe in the family Apidae, with over 32 genera worldwide that were previously classified as members of the family Anthophoridae. All species are solitary, though many nest in lar ...
found in the south western United States and central Mexico.
Description
Females are identifiable by being more robust than other ''Melissodes''; darker hairs on inner side of basal joint of hind tarsi; flagellum, after the first two joints, bright rusty color on the underside; basal band of second abdominal (T2) segment broad and very white; hairs of thorax are paler near the head; eyes pale sea-green. Appears similar to easily be taken for an undersized ''M. pallidicincta'', but the much narrower face at once distinguishes it.
Ecology
''M. verbesinarum'' nectars on ''
Helianthus annuus
The common sunflower (''Helianthus annuus'') is a large annual forb of the genus ''Helianthus'' grown as a crop for its edible oily seeds. Apart from cooking oil production, it is also used as livestock forage (as a meal or a silage plant), as b ...
'' without pollinating it.
References
External links
Melissodes verbesinarum
Apinae
Insects described in 1905
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