Lipotriches australica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lipotriches australica | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Halictidae |
| Genus: | Lipotriches |
| Species: | L. australica |
| Binomial name | |
| Lipotriches australica (Smith, 1875) | |
Lipotriches australica, commonly known as the green and gold nomia, is a species of bee in the family Halictidae. It was described by Frederick Smith in 1875, and is widely distributed across mainland Australia. It is approximately the size of a European honeybee, and it is a buzz pollinator. When conditions are optimal, the females can nest in dense aggregations with tens of thousands of nests per hectare. Males are often seen clustered together in roosting aggregations. This was one of four species featured in a set of native bee postage stamps, which were available from Australia Post in 2019.
This species was described in 1875 by Frederick Smith, who named it Nomia australica.[1] In the 21st century it was moved to the genus Lipotriches by Professor Charles Michener, and it lies within the subgenus Austronomia.[2] It is commonly known as the green and gold nomia in reference to the metallic blue-green shine on the abdomen and bands of golden hair.[2]
Description
Lipotriches australica is approximately 10mm long, which is around the size of a European honeybee.[2][3] The head and thorax are black, and there is a patch of short, white hair at the rear of the thorax.[1] The abdomen has broad bands of golden hair, and a metallic blue-green sheen on the first few segments.[2] The colour of the hair in this species can vary with age and location.[1] The wings are semi-transparent, and faintly clouded towards the tips.[1] Males have a narrower abdomen than females.[1] Males also have modified hind legs, with the tibia expanded and angular, and the femur being swollen.[4] This is believed to assist with grasping females during copulation.[4]
