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TranslateCoelioxys rufescens
BTB Coelioxys rufescens, (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825). Rufescent Sharp-tail Bee
Family: Megachilidae.
Genus: Coelioxys, Sharp-Tail Bees.
Fore Wing: 6.5 to 8mm female, 5.5 to 8mm male.
On the wing June to September. (males a little earlier)
The images below, are “Believed to Be” a Rufescent Sharp-tailed male.
There are six-species of Coelioxys within the UK, all being “Cuckoo Bees” (Known as a cleptoparasite). The host bees being from the Megachilidae family, one likely host being, M. Willughbiella. The female Coelioxys will use its sharp abdomen to puncture the cell in the host’s nest to lay her egg. The Coelioxys larvae emerges from its egg before the Megachile egg, it will then destroy the hosts egg with its large jaws and proceed to feed on the food intended for the hosts larvae. It will then pupate throughout winter within the cell
Habitat: A wide variety of ground conditions this species can be found, (Wherever their hosts are living), in wetlands, chalk districts, non-sandy brownfield sites, soft rock cliff areas, as Coelioxys rufescens seems to favour sandy habitats more in the southern counties of England. By having a long tongue, Coelioxys is able to visit a wide range of flowers, (Green Alkanet, Pentaglottis Sempervirens seems to be one of its favourite plants). Also, records show, brambles and thistles are regularly visited.
Read MoreFamily: Megachilidae.
Genus: Coelioxys, Sharp-Tail Bees.
Fore Wing: 6.5 to 8mm female, 5.5 to 8mm male.
On the wing June to September. (males a little earlier)
The images below, are “Believed to Be” a Rufescent Sharp-tailed male.
There are six-species of Coelioxys within the UK, all being “Cuckoo Bees” (Known as a cleptoparasite). The host bees being from the Megachilidae family, one likely host being, M. Willughbiella. The female Coelioxys will use its sharp abdomen to puncture the cell in the host’s nest to lay her egg. The Coelioxys larvae emerges from its egg before the Megachile egg, it will then destroy the hosts egg with its large jaws and proceed to feed on the food intended for the hosts larvae. It will then pupate throughout winter within the cell
Habitat: A wide variety of ground conditions this species can be found, (Wherever their hosts are living), in wetlands, chalk districts, non-sandy brownfield sites, soft rock cliff areas, as Coelioxys rufescens seems to favour sandy habitats more in the southern counties of England. By having a long tongue, Coelioxys is able to visit a wide range of flowers, (Green Alkanet, Pentaglottis Sempervirens seems to be one of its favourite plants). Also, records show, brambles and thistles are regularly visited.
