# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens and meadows ![Epimelissodes](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Epimelissodes_obliquus_obliquus_-_inat_57293831.jpg&width=800) Photo: Robert Webster Depicted place : Cheyenne County, US-NE, US ( 41°12′26″N 102°44′43″W / 41.2072166667°N 102.7453833333°W / 41.2072166667, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epimelissodes_obliquus_obliquus_-_inat_57293831.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Epimelissodes ## 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 - **Nest Infiltrator:** Epimelissodes can sneak into other bee nests to lay their eggs because they lack pollen-carrying structures. - **Wasp Disguise:** Epimelissodes often has a sleek, less hairy body shape that helps it look like a wasp, deterring predators. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch insects without asking an adult, as some might sting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Epimelissodes? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Epimelissodes: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/epimelissodes)