Stelis (bee)

Stelis is a genus of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bees in the family Megachilidae. There are at least 100 described species in Stelis.^[1][2]

Stelis lateralis

Stelis
Stelis costalis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Megachilidae
Subfamily:	Megachilinae
Tribe:	Anthidiini
Genus:	Stelis Panzer, 1806

Description

One study of the species Stelis ater found they differed a bit from other thieving bees by being hospicidal (host-killing) at all larval stages, and neither it nor its host larva move much, so it is simply a matter of chance when its growth brings it into contact with the host rather than with just the provisions. This is in contrast to other kleptoparasitic bees which usually have their more mobile first instar larva kill the host larva.^[3]

See also

• List of Stelis species