Leioproctus eremitulus
| Leioproctus eremitulus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Colletidae |
| Genus: | Leioproctus |
| Species: | L. eremitulus |
| Binomial name | |
| Leioproctus eremitulus | |
Leioproctus eremitulus, or Leioproctus (Leioproctus) eremitulus, is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and subfamily Colletinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described by Australian entomologist Terry Houston in 1990.[1][2]
Etymology
The specific epithet eremitulus (Latin: "of the desert") is a habitat and forage plant reference.[1]
Description
The male holotype body length is about 6.5 mm, head width 1.85 mm; female paratype body length is about 8 mm, head width 2.25 mm. Integumental colouration is mainly black; the hair is white to off-white and buff.[1]
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in arid central Australia. The type locality is 45 km east-north-east of Dalhousie Homestead, in the Far North region of South Australia.[1][2]
Behaviour
The adults are flying mellivores. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Eremophila freelingii and Ruellia species.[1][2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Houston, TF (1990). "Descriptions of new paracolletine bees associated with flowers of Eremophila (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 14: 583–621 [603]. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- 1 2 3 4 "Species Leioproctus (Leioproctus) eremitulus Houston, 1990". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-07-25.