#coelioxys

photograph by Dix Balino

Coeloxys mexicanus. A southern species that ranges from the far south east into Florida, from there is arcs around the Gulf and heads into Mexico into Central America. I am not aware of what species of bee's (almost certainly a Megachile) nest it invades. I think of most members of the genus as sharp dressers and C. mexicanus does not disappoint. This one from Georgia.

its megachilid monday baby! check out these Coelioxys; nest parasites of leafcutter bees

The right compound eye of a sharp-tailed bee (Coelioxys sp.). I have always been enamored by the eyes of these bees - their green color, heavy patterning and hair - yes, hair! The little yellow dots are pollen grains from a cosmos flower. ~~~~~~~~~#coelioxys #sharptailedbee #bugeyes #canonmacro #canonmpe65mm #mycanonstory #mat_macro_bees https://www.instagram.com/p/BophiebhCV4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e68yjyz1yi5x

Update: Thanks to @usgsbiml for identifying the species as C. modesta. Apparently these bees are cleptoparasites of Megachile sp. bees, breaking into their nests and leaving their own eggs to feed off the pollen stores.

By far the most common #Coelioxys in most places of Eastern U.S.  (C. sayi)  That sharp end pierces the wall of Megachile nests so that its egg can be inserted to later emerge, slay the host's larva, and then eat up the pollen and nectar.

Nest Invader.  Coelioxys afra.  Almost certainly a nest parasite of Megachile.  Collected in the Netherlands.  

Sharp-tailed bee on Douglas aster. An image shot in wide angle. The flowers, so close together to our eyes, are given some distance as if being viewed from the perspective of being tiny, like a bee. ~~~~~~~~#wideanglemacro #coelioxys #cuckooleafcutterbee #sharptailedbee #astersubspicatus #douglasaster #natgeoyourshot #mat_macro_bees #laowa15mmmacro https://www.instagram.com/p/Brc69w1BdpL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gtyx9estw9c3