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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #289318
Title: New species of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Stelis (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae, Anthidiini) from the Nearctic Region

Author
item PARKER, FRANK - Retired ARS Employee
item Griswold, Terry

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2013
Publication Date: 5/7/2013
Citation: Parker, F.D., Griswold, T.L. 2013. New species of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Stelis (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae, Anthidiini) from the Nearctic Region. Zootaxa. 3646:529-544.

Interpretive Summary: Most bees are active pollinators, but some make their living by parasitizing other bees, appropriating the pollen and nectar provisions for their own use. Among these is the genus Stelis that parasitizes carder, resin, and mason bees. Ten Stelis species new to science from the United States are named and illustrated. Since the bee hosts of these parasites are often quite specific, information on the hosts is provided.

Technical Abstract: Descriptions and diagnoses of ten new Nearctic species of Stelis are presented: S. alta, S. anasazi, S. anthocopae, S. broemelingi, S. imperialis, S. joanae, S. lamelliterga, S. occidentalis, S. paiute, and S. shoshone. Six of these species have been reared from trapnests. Host associations, all within the tribe Osmiini (Megachilidae), are provided.