Ctenocolletes smaragdinus

Ctenocolletes smaragdinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Stenotritidae
Genus: Ctenocolletes
Species:
C. smaragdinus
Binomial name
Ctenocolletes smaragdinus
(Smith, 1868)[1][2]
Synonyms
  • Stenotritus smaragdinus Smith, 1868
  • Melitribus glauerti Rayment, 1930
  • Stenotritus speciosus Rayment, 1935

Ctenocolletes smaragdinus is a species of bee in the family Stenotritidae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1868 by English entomologist Frederick Smith.[1][2]

Description

The body length of males is 14–16 mm; that of females 17–19 mm. It is distinguished from its congeners by its brilliant metallic green integument and sparse pubescence.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in south-western Western Australia. The holotype was collected at Champion Bay. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Leptospermum, Melaleuca, Grevillea, Verticordia and Baeckea species.[3][2]

Behaviour

The adults are solitary, flying mellivores that nest in burrows dug in soil; the larvae are sedentary.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Smith, F (1868). "Descriptions of aculeate Hymenoptera from Australia". Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. 1868: 231–258 [254].
  2. ^ a b c d "Species Ctenocolletes smaragdinus (Smith, 1868)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  3. ^ a b Houston, TF (1983). "A Revision of the Bee Genus Ctenocolletes (Hymenoptera: Stenotritidae)". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 10 (3): 269–306 [296].