LEIOPROCTUS BEES ASSOCIATED WITH WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SMOKE BUSHES (CONOSPERMUM SPP.) AND THEIR ADAPTATIONS FOR FORAGING AND CONCEALMENT (HYMENOPTERA COLLETIDAE PARACOLLETINI)

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract: Three new south-western Austrahan species of Leioproctus, L. conospermi, L. pappus and L. tomentosus, are desenbed and figured. They form a natural group, designated the L. conospermi species-group, assigned to the subgenus Leioproctus. Males intermediate in character between those of L. conospermi and L. pappus and of uncertain status are recorded.

All species are oligolectic on flowers of Conospermum spp, (Proteaceae). Modifications of the mouth parts are evidently associated with the explosive pollen release mechanism of the forage plants and the unusually sparse scopa of females is adapted to carry the relatively coarse pollen.

Two of the species, L. pappus and L. tomentosus, especially the males, are remarkably well adapted for concealment on the inflorescences, being denseh clothed in white hair and having white eyes and milky wings.