Description of immature stages of cleptoparasitic bees <i>Epeoloides coecutiens</i> and <i>Leiopodus trochantericus</i> (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Osirini, Protepeolini) with remarks to their unusual biology

Authors

• Jakub Straka
• Petr Bogusch

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33338/ef.84405

Abstract

This study presents descriptions of first instars and mature larvae of cleptoparasitic bees Epeoloides coecutiens (host Macropis fulvipes) and Leiopodus trochantericus (host Diadasina sp.). Larvae of the genus Epeoloides are described for the first time. The larva of Epeoloides is similar to other osirine species, but also possesses several characters previously known as autapomorphies of the genus Leiopodus. The unusually short stadium of the first instar and kiling behaviour of the second instar in E. coecutiens are recorded. The first instar of L. trochantericus is quiescent for a long time and kills the late second or third instar of the host.