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Melissodes desponsus

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Species of bee

Melissodes desponsus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Melissodes
Species: M. desponsus
Binomial name
Melissodes desponsus
Smith, 1854

Melissodes desponsus, the eastern thistle longhorn bee, is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. The bees are active in mid-to-late-summer.

Description

These ground-nesting, solitary bees have pale yellow thoraxes and black abdomens. Females are 12-13.5 mm and have distinctive orange scopae on their hind legs, although they are often covered with white Cirsium pollen. Males are 11-13.5 mm, have longer antennae and yellow clypei.

Range

Melissodes desponsus is found across the northeastern quadrant of the United States, reaching into southern Canada.

Habitat

Cirsium thistles are host plants of these bees.

Conservation

This species does not have a widely documented conservation status, although it is listed as vulnerable or imperiled by several regional sources.

Taxonomy

The species has several synonymous scientific names. The female of the species was described as M. desponsa and the male was described as M. nigripes in 1854 by Frederick Smith. Other synonyms include M. americana, M. daponsa and M. cnici.

References

  1. ^ "Eastern Thistle Longhorn Bee (Melissodes desponsus)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  2. ^ "Species Melissodes desponsus". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Report: Melissodes desponsus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Melissodes desponsa Smith, 1854". Discover Life. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  5. ^ Dorian; McCarthy (9 January 2023). "Thistle longhorn bee (Melissodes desponsus)". Bees of the Northeast, Bee Watching. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  6. "Melissodes desponsus". GBIF. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  7. "Melissodes desponsa". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  8. "Melissodes desponsus Smith, 1854". Bees of Canada. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
Taxon identifiers
Melissodes desponsus

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