Megachile (Stellenigris)

Taxonomy

Family: Megachilidae
Subfamily: Megachilinae
Tribe: Megachilini
Genus: Megachile Latreille, 1802
Subgenus: Stellenigris Titus, 1906
Common name: none

Overview

Megachile (Stellenigris) are large bees with red or grey pubescence on the thorax and red hair on the abdomen (Meunier 1888). It was described from a single female specimen and the type specimen was likely destroyed (Gonzalez et al. 2019).

Diagnostic characteristics

(modified from Meunier 1888)

Clypeus weakly punctate with a sinuate line in the middle.
Mandibles are bidentate.
Wings are gray with a darkened margin.

May be confused with

Since the type specimen for Megachile (Stellenigris) has been lost, it has not been compared to many of the currently recognized Megachile subgenera. The bidentate mandible, however, is unusual for a Megachile female; the only other subgenus with bidentate mandibles in the females is Megachile (Thaumatosoma).

Host associations

Floral associations are unknown.

Nesting behavior

Nesting behavior is unknown.

Diversity

Megachile (Stellenigris) consists of one species: M. vandeveldii (Gonzalez 2008).

Known invasives

There are no known invasives.

Distribution

The single specimen from Megachile (Stellenigris) was found in central Africa (Meunier 1888).

Distribution map generated by Discover Life -- click on map for details, credits, and terms of use.