Hylaeus sanguinipictus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hylaeus sanguinipictus |
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The Hylaeus sanguinipictus is a special type of bee. It is only found in Western Australia. This means it is an endemic species. Scientists first officially described this bee in 1914. They found it in a place called Yallingup.
About the Hylaeus sanguinipictus Bee
This bee is related to the famous banksia bee. It has a very interesting feature. Male Hylaeus sanguinipictus bees are bigger than the females. This is quite unusual for bees. In most other bee species, the females are usually larger. This difference between males and females is called sexual dimorphism.
Male Bee Behavior
Male Hylaeus sanguinipictus bees like to hang out on Banksia flowers. They wait there for females to arrive. These flowers are actually clusters of many small flowers, called inflorescences. The males also protect their spot on the flowers. They will even fight other male bees to keep their territory. This helps them find a mate.
Where These Bees Live and What They Eat
The Hylaeus sanguinipictus bee lives in Western Australia. It visits different types of native plants. They have been seen on certain kinds of banksia plants. These include the B. menziesii and the B. prionotes. These plants provide the bees with food.
