Family: Megachilidae
Subfamily: Megachilinae
Tribe: Megachilini
Genus: Austrochile Michener, 1965
Common name: none
Austrochile are robust, parallel-sided bees with black integument and white and black hair on their head and thorax (Michener 1965). Their terga sometimes have white apical hair bands, but the pubescence of their abdomen is mostly black, aside from distinct reddish hair on T5-T6. They range in body length from 9–11 mm (Michener 2007).
(modified from Michener 1965)
Austrochile may be confused with some of the larger Hackeriapis because they both have parallel-sided abdomens and red hair on the last two terga (Michener 1965). Austrochile can be differentiated by the large subapical spine on S1.
Austrochile has been observed visiting flowers of the genera Jacksonia (Fabaceae) and Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) (Prendergast 2020).
Austrochile use resin to construct their nest cells (Houston and Pike 2013). Unlike most Megachile, which typically nest in cavities, some Austrochile build entirely exposed resin single-cell nests on twigs and stems (Houston and Pike 2013). Other Austrochile construct resin nests in pre-existing crevices in rocks or in sandy soil (Houston and Pike 2013).
Austrochile consists of ten species (Michener 1965); none are known to occur in the U.S. or Canada.
There are no known invasives.
Austrochile are found throughout the non-tropical areas of Australia (Michener 2007).
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