Macropis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Macropis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Macropis sp. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Melittidae |
| Subfamily: | Melittinae |
| Genus: | Macropis Panzer, 1809 |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Macropis is a genus of bees in the family Melittidae. They are very rare and were likely more common in the past.[1][when?] They are associated with yellow loosestrife plants in the genus Lysimachia.[2]
Macropis species are of moderate size, not exceeding 15 mm. They have a livery predominantly black; males are characterized by conspicuous yellow markings on the head, but the females show morphological adaptations related to their foraging habits of flower oils, posterior tibiae with very developed, covered with a dense velvety hairs.[3] Unlike most Melittidae, the wing has only two submarginal cells.
