Exoneura richardsoni, or Exoneura (Exoneura) richardsoni, is a species of reed bee in the tribe Allodapini. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1951 by Australian entomologist Tarlton Rayment.[1][2]
| Exoneura richardsoni | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Genus: | Exoneura |
| Species: | E. richardsoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Exoneura richardsoni | |
Description
editThe body length is 5 mm. The head and thorax are glossy black, the abdomen and legs red.[1]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species occurs in Victoria. The type locality is Narre Warren.[2][1]
Behaviour
editThe adults are flying mellivores with sedentary larvae. They nest in dead, dry plant stems, including those of Rosa, Rubus and Senecio, as well as in the fronds of Cyathea and Dicksonia tree ferns. Two or more adult females may occupy one nest, though not all females lay eggs. All immature stages are found in the communal chamber, with the larvae fed progressively. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Leucopogon species.[2]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 Rayment, T (1951). "Biology of the reed-bees. With descriptions of three new species and two allotypes of Exoneura". The Australian Zoologist. 11: 285–313 [288]. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- 1 2 3 4 "Species Exoneura (Exoneura) richardsoni Rayment, 1951". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
 | This bee-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |