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Bees of Zihuatanejo

EPIFAMILY ANTHOPHILA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Sawflies (Order Hymenoptera)

-Narrow-waisted Wasps, Ants, and Bees (Suborder Apocrita)

-Ants, Bees, and Stinging Wasps (Infraorder Aculeata)

-Bees and Apoid Wasps (Superfamily Apoidea)

-Bees (Epifamily Anthophila)

-​Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, and Allies (Family Apidae)

-Apine Bees (Subfamily Apinae)​

-​Chimney Bees (Tribe Emphorini)

-Genus Melitoma


Melitoma is a genus of bees commonly referred to as chimney bees. Melitoma bees are known for their unique nesting behavior. They often build their nests in sandy or loose soil, creating vertical tunnels or "chimneys" that extend into the ground. The nests may have multiple chambers for rearing offspring. These bees are typically solitary foragers, visiting a variety of flowering plants to collect nectar and pollen.



Melitoma Chimney Bees

Melitoma (Genus)

Range

  • The genus Melitoma is distributed from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and into much of South America.

  • Several species occur throughout Mexico, including the Pacific coast of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Most species are associated with warm, open habitats where their preferred host plants occur.

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, woodland edges, grasslands, coastal scrub, secondary forests, gardens, agricultural fields, and roadsides.

  • Females nest in well-drained sandy or loose soils, often constructing nests in flat ground or earthen banks.

  • Commonly found near patches of morning glories and related vines (family Convolvulaceae).

Behaviour

  • Solitary, with each female excavating and provisioning her own underground nest.

  • Many species construct a distinctive turret or "chimney" of mud or soil around the nest entrance, giving rise to the common name chimney bee.

  • Active during the day, with females collecting pollen and nectar primarily from morning glory flowers and their relatives.

  • Males often patrol patches of flowering vines while searching for females.

  • Generally docile and rarely sting unless handled.

Size

  • Body length: 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in)

  • Females are typically larger and more densely hairy than males.

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