Notes on male and female facial patterns in bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), with comments on other aculeates

Authors

  • Charles D. Michener University of Kansas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.v0i26.4600

Keywords:

Apoidea, Anthophila

Abstract

Pallid (frequently yellow) integumental areas characterize faces of many bees and related wasps.  Some species lack such markings, others lack them only in females, while others have them in both sexes.  A rule applicable to thousands of species is that, if present, yellow areas are more extensive in males than in females.  In different groups, yellow areas can be either expanded or reduced, both have occurred repeatedly in the Aculeata.  In some groups that lack integumental yellow facial areas, males have brushes of yellow or brassy facial hairs that hide the integument.  Behavior associated with presence or abscence of facial yellow areas is not recognized, for mating males usually approach females from above and behind so that neither can see the face of the other.  Possibly male-to-male interactions are involved.

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References

Houston, T.F. 1975. A revision of the Australian hylaeine bees (Hymenoptera: Colletidae): I. Introductory material and the genera Heterapoides Sandhouse, Gephyrohylaeus Michener, Hyleoides Smith, Pharohylaeus Michener, Hemirhiza Michener, Amphylaeus Michener and Meroglossa Smith. Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series 23 36: 1–135.

Houston, T.F. 1981. A revision of the Australian hylaeine bees (Hymenoptera: Colletidae): II. Genus Hylaeus Fabricius. Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series 29 80: 1–128.

Sheehan, M.J., & E.A. Tibbetts. 2011. Specialized face learning associated with individual recognition in paper wasps. Science 331(6060): 1272–1275.

Tibbetts, E.A. 2002. Visual signals of individual identity in the wasp Polistes fuscatus. Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B, Biological Sciences 269(1499): 1423–1428.

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Published

17-12-2013

How to Cite

Michener, C. D. (2013). Notes on male and female facial patterns in bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), with comments on other aculeates. Journal of Melittology, 26, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.v0i26.4600