TWO NEW AND UNUSUAL SPECIES OF THE BEE GENUS LEIOPROCTUS SMITH (HYMENOPTERA COLLETIDAE), WITH NOTES ON THEIR BEHAVIOUR

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract: Two new species of Leioproclus sensu striclo, L. excubitor from Western and Central Australia and L. macmillani from south-western Australia. are described and fIgured. Males of both species have extraordinary antennae. excuhilor having the fIrst flagellar segment greatly attenuated as in stenotritid bees and macmillani having most segments highly setose and produced into lobes. Males of excubitor have other unusual modifications including a very broad highly depressed metasoma and spend much time perched upside-down on dead tree trunks. Both sexes of macmillani have the head peculiarly elongated. doubtless an adaptation to the tubular flowers of their winter-flowering food plant, Astroloma xerophyllum.