Hylaeus in Hawaii
Hylaeus in Hawaii |
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Hylaeus inquilinaIslands: HawaiiLocations: Hawaii - (Kipuka Alala, Kipuka Nene, Mauna Loa Rd., south of Bird Park) Habitats: Montane dry shrubland and forest. Plants: Argyroxiphium, Myoporum, Styphelia Xerces: No info. Insects of Hawaii: Medium-sized cleptoparasitic bees with clear wings and body black without red basal terga (unlike other cleptoparasites). Male lower face almost entirely yellow, extended at sides in a broad stripe above antennal sockets, unique scape moderately dilated and with lateral edge in frontal view distinctly concave. Female foretarsus with straight hair, clypeus shallowly emarginate (unlike other female cleptoparasites). This species is basal among the cleptoparasites and differs from all the others in several respects, the most obvious being the lack of any red markings (H. volatilis and H. sphecodoides may have melanic individuals). It is usually found in open scrubland on recent lava flows, and presumably primarily parasitizes the sympatric H. difficilis and H. volcanicus. See discussion of cleptoparasites under H. hilaris. Insects of Hawaii Volume 17 
UH/DOD: Hylaeus near military lands
Other: Face mark widest at the top. Supraclypeal area usually black, but sometimes colored |
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