Hesperapis regularis is an oligolectic bee in the family Melittidae.
Hesperapis regularis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Melittidae |
Genus: | Hesperapis |
Species: | H. regularis
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Binomial name | |
Hesperapis regularis (Cresson, 1878)
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Distribution
editThis bee is native to California,[1] and inhabits meadows, fields, and gardens, where it visits only flowers in the genus Clarkia. Numerous native species of Clarkia are found in California chaparral and woodlands, montane, and valley habitats.
Description
editThe bees eat nectar, but their larvae feed upon a mass composed of both nectar and Clarkia pollen, placed in chambers underground.[2]