Sphecodes ranunculi

Buttercup Blood Bee

Introduction:

Sphecodes are a group of diverse and enigmatic cleptoparasites. Members of this genus are thought to predominately parasitize nests of other ground or wood-nesting bees, mainly Lasioglossum, but also Halictus, Agapostemon, Augochlorella, Andrena, Perdita, and Calliopsis.
Life Cycle:

Size 0.3 inche (9 mm)
Sexual Dimorphism: false
Metamorphosis: complete (egg, larva, pupa, adult)

Insect Data

Names and Taxonomy

Common Names: Buttercup Blood Bee, buttercup cuckoo sweat bee
Synonyms:
Order: Hymenoptera (Wasps, Bees and Ants)
Family: Halictidae (Sweat Bees)
Genus Information: nk species in NV, 60 in CA, 80 in US

Distribution

Distribution: Maine to North Carolina, and west to California
Seen: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
Habitat: open habitats like fields, meadows, and urban/suburban areas, including gardens
Food: Unlike many other bees, Sphecodes bees don't collect pollen because they rely on the pollen stores of their host bees for their larvae.

Photographs

Buttercup Blood Bee (Sphecodes ranunculi)

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

Buttercup Blood Bee (Sphecodes ranunculi)

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

Vocabulary Reference Material

Plants, leaf and flower anatomy is essential to properly classify

Sky Island vegetation biomes

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Get in touch

I am usually out hiking, birding or traveling but you can reach me at:

buzardweb@gmail.com