Family: Megachilidae
Subfamily: Megachilinae
Tribe: Anthidiini
Genus: Hypanthidium Cockerell, 1904
Subgenera: Hypanthidium, Tylanthidium
Common name: none
Hypanthidium often has dark colored integument with yellow maculations on their head, thorax, and abdomen (Michener 2007). In some instances, they can be nearly entirely yellow or reddish-yellow. They have a somewhat robust, parallel-sided body, and range in body length from 7–10.5 mm (Michener 2007).
(modified from Michener 2007 unless otherwise stated)
Hypanthidium may be confused with Anthodioctes that can have a similar elongate body shape and dark coloration with limited yellow markings; however, they can be differentiated by the lack of arolia and juxtantennal carinae, and lack of a carina between the dorsal and anterior surfaces T1 in Hypanthidium (Michener 2007).
There are no known invasives.
Hypanthidium is a specialist and is dependent on Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae) for pollen and resin for nesting, both of which are collected simultaneously (Armbruster 1984).
Hypanthidium build nests out of resin, which is collected from Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae) at the same time as the pollen (Armbruster 1984). Resin is carried in small globules behind their mandibles (Armbruster and Webster 1981). Hypanthidium likely use resin to seal nesting cavities, line cells, and create nest plugs, which is a behavior commonly seen in megachilid bees (Grigarick and Stange 1968).
Hypanthidium are distributed in the Neotropical region, specifically in Sonora, San Luis Potosi, and Yucatan, Mexico; Misiones, Argentina; Paraguay; Bolivia; and Amazonas, Brazil (Michener 1948, 2007).
​Distribution map generated by Discover Life -- click on map for details, credits, and terms of use.
