Hylaeus lactiferus, also known as Pharohylaeus lactiferus[1] or the cloaked bee, is a rare species of bee native to tropical and subtropical forests in northeast Australia. The species is an example of a Lazarus taxon, with no reliable records published between 1923 and its rediscovery in 2008.[2]
| Cloaked bee | |
|---|---|
| Hylaeus lactiferus, female | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Colletidae |
| Genus: | Hylaeus |
| Species: | H. lactiferus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hylaeus lactiferus (Cockerell, 1910)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Pharohylaeus lactiferus (Cockerell, 1910) | |
Description
editThe cloaked bee is relatively large, with its stout body measuring 9 to 11 mm in length. Its body is mostly black with distinctive white markings on its face and thorax. Not much is known about the biology or behavior of the species.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editAll documented sightings of the cloaked bee originate from subtropical and tropical forests in northeast Australia. Specimens were first collected in the Atherton Tablelands, Mackay, and Kuranda, though the exact locations were "imprecise."[2][3]
Discovery and rediscovery
editHylaeus lactiferus was first described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1910 and given the common name "Cloaked bee."[3] Following the collection of three male specimens in January 1923, the species would not be spotted for over 80 years.
In 2008, the species would be rediscovered by James B. Dorey, who collected a female specimen resting on foliage as well as five male specimens patrolling the flowers of a firewheel tree.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Hylaeus lactiferus (Cockerell, 1910)". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ a b c d Dorey, James B. (2021-02-25). "Missing for almost 100 years: the rare and potentially threatened bee, Pharohylaeus lactiferus (Hymenoptera, Colletidae)". Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 81: 165–180. doi:10.3897/jhr.81.59365. ISSN 1314-2607.
- ^ a b Cockerell, T.D.A. (1910-07-01). "II.—Descriptions and records of bees.—XXX". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 6 (31): 17–31. doi:10.1080/00222931008692817. ISSN 0374-5481.