''Stelis'' is a genus of kleptoparasitic bees in the family

Megachilidae Megachilidae is a cosmopolitan family of mostly solitary bees. Both that their pollen-carrying structure (called a ''scopa'') is restricted to the ventral surface of the abdomen (rather than mostly or exclusively on the hind legs as in other b ...

. There are at least 100 described species in ''Stelis''.

Description

One study of the species '' Stelis ater'' found they differed a bit from other thieving bees by being hospicidal (host-killing) at all larval stages, and neither it nor its host larva move much, so it is simply a matter of chance when its growth brings it into contact with the host rather than with just the provisions. This is in contrast to other kleptoparasitic bees which usually have their more mobile first instar larva kill the host larva.

References

External links

* Megachilidae Bee genera {{Megachilidae-stub

Description

See also

References

Further reading

External links