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Epimelissodes

Epimelissodes

Epimelissodes are small, colorful insects that love to buzz around flowers. They help plants grow by spreading pollen, making them very important for nature!

Habitat: Gardens and meadows

Appearance

The Epimelissodes is a slender bee, often sporting dark bodies with distinctive yellow or white bands across its abdomen. It has relatively sparse body hair, giving it a somewhat glossy appearance compared to other fuzzy bees. Its wings are typically clear with dark veins.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusEpimelissodes
Epimelissodes
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Epimelissodes

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Epimelissodes babies eat the food collected by other bee mothers!

Many people confuse Epimelissodes with wasps because of their similar look!

Their name comes from cuckoo birds, which also lay eggs in other nests!

Unlike most bees, Epimelissodes doesn't collect pollen for its young to eat!

Special abilities

Ability

Nest Infiltrator

Epimelissodes can sneak into other bee nests to lay their eggs because they lack pollen-carrying structures.

Ability

Wasp Disguise

Epimelissodes often has a sleek, less hairy body shape that helps it look like a wasp, deterring predators.

Ability

Quick Grower

Their larvae can develop very quickly, helping them outcompete the host larvae in shared nests.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
12-30 mm
Size
8-15 mm
Lifespan
30-60 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adult Epimelissodes drink flower nectar for energy, but their young feast on food collected by other bees.

Age differences: Larvae consume pollen and nectar provisions gathered by host bees, sometimes also eating the host's young.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar (from various flowers)
  • Pollen (from host nests)
  • Honeydew (occasionally)

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

parasitizes

Two-spotted Long-horned Bee

Melissodes bimaculata

Lays eggs in its nest, stealing its food provisions.

pollinates

Common Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

While drinking nectar, they transfer pollen between flowers.

eaten by

Garden Spider

Argiope aurantia

Caught in webs while foraging for nectar.

parasitizes

Eastern Long-horned Bee

Melissodes desponsa

Their larvae consume pollen stores intended for host young.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch insects without asking an adult, as some might sting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Epimelissodes's wingspan?

12-30 mm

How big is Epimelissodes?

8-15 mm

How long does Epimelissodes live?

30-60 days

How fast can Epimelissodes fly?

15 km/h

What does Epimelissodes eat?

Adult Epimelissodes drink flower nectar for energy, but their young feast on food collected by other bees.

Where is Epimelissodes usually found?

Gardens and meadows

How does Epimelissodes hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Epimelissodes have?

6

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