Feathery Leioproctus Bee
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Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Leioproctus
- Species
- plumosus
- Subfamily
- Colletinae
- Family
- Colletidae
- Super Family
- Apoidea
- Suborder
- Apocrita
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 8 mm - 14 mm
The Feathery Leioproctus Bee is a member of the largest Australian bee family, the Colletidae, which contains more than half of the known species of native bees.
Identification
The Feathery Leioproctus Bee is very hairy with a metallic green-blue body, head and thorax.
Habitat
The Feathery Leioproctus Bee lives in urban areas with sandy ground, as well as forests and woodlands and heath.
Distribution
The Feathery Leioproctus Bee is found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The Feathery Leioproctus Bee is a member of the largest Australian bee family, the Colletidae, which contains more than half of the known species of native bees. The family name is Greek in origin and means 'glued'. This come from the way these bees line their nest with a cellophane-like secretion, which hardens after being applied by the females' tongue. This species commonly nests in the sandy Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. Each female digs a tunnel in sandy ground. She has this tunnel to herself but many tunnels may occur in the same area. In spring, large numbers of males (which cannot sting) may be seen flying above the nesting areas seeking females, which they locate by scent.
