Epeolus
| Epeolus | |
|---|---|
| Epeolus australis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Tribe: | Epeolini |
| Genus: | Epeolus Latreille, 1802 |
| Type species | |
| Epeolus variegatus | |
| Species | |
|
see text | |
Epeolus is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae. They are often known as variegated cuckoo-bees. The species is uncommon to rare, and has strong patterns of black and white on the thorax and abdomen. These patterns are made of tiny fat hairs lying flush with the integument or "skin" of the bee. It is easily mistaken for Triepeolus, but is almost always smaller.