Leioproctus cardaleae
| Leioproctus cardaleae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Colletidae |
| Genus: | Leioproctus |
| Species: | L. cardaleae |
| Binomial name | |
| Leioproctus cardaleae | |
Leioproctus cardaleae, or Leioproctus (Odontocolletes) cardaleae, is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and subfamily Colletinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described by Australian entomologist Glynn Maynard in 1997.[1][2]
Etymology
The specific epithet cardaleae honours entomologist Josephine Cardale, who collected many specimens.[1]
Description
Female body length is 8 mm, male body length 7 mm. Integumental colouration is mainly black, with a distinctive, broad orange band on the metasoma. The hair is mostly white.[1]
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in arid central and eastern inland Australia. The type locality is 32 km south-east of Alice Springs, in the south of the Northern Territory. It has also been recorded from Welbourne Hill Station in northern South Australia and from near Charleville, Queensland.[2]
Behaviour
The adults are flying mellivores. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Podolepis canescens, Scaevola depauperata and Trachymene glaucifolia, as well as Wahlenbergia species.[1][2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Maynard, GV (1997). "Revision of Leioproctus (Anacolletes) Michener and description of a new subgenus Leioproctus (Odontocolletes) (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)". Journal of the Australian Entomological Society. 36 (2): 137–148 [146]. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
- 1 2 3 4 "Species Leioproctus (Odontocolletes) cardaleae Maynard, 1997". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-07-31.