Eucera hamata (Bradley, 1942)
Properties
Scientific Name: Eucera hamata (Bradley, 1942)
Common Name: Eucera hamata
Taxonomy
Tetralonia hamata Bradley, 1942: 189 [♂‚,♀]
Holotype ♂‚. USA, Illinois [ANSP]
Species Notes
The DNA Barcode Index Number (BIN) for this species is BOLD:ABZ5093.
Biology
The nesting biology and immature stages were described by Miliczky (1985). Females build nests in the ground within surrounding vegetation, separated by at least 15 m. Just below the nest entrance which is 8-9 mm in diameter, the tunnel bends abruptly forming a short, horizontal or obliquely descending section, which then bend vertically to depths of about 20 cm, then becoming semi-horizontal (Miliczky 1985). Nests ultimately may reach a maximum depths of ca 25 cm. Like other eucerine bees, Triepeolus are the main cleptoparasite (Miliczky 1985). Nests are also attacked by the meloid beetle Meloe americanus Leach.
Index of Area of Occupancy (IAO) in Canada (http://geocat.kew.org/): 4 km2
References
Bradley JC (1942) Notes on bees (Hymen.: Andrenidae). Entomological News 53: 189-190.
Miliczky ER (1985) Observations on the nesting biology of Tetralonia hamata Bradley with a description of its mature larva (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 58(4): 686-700.
Sociality: Solitary
Nesting: Ground
Pollen Specialization: Polylectic
Wintering Stage: Mature Larva
Crop Preference: Brassica sp.
Non Crop Preference: Astragalus sp., Asclepias sp., Baptisia sp., Robinia sp., Vicia sp., Salvia sp., Rubus sp., Trifolium sp., Blephilia sp.
Distribution: Saskatchewan
Ecozone: Prairie