cuckoo bee

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cuckoo bee

Q: What are cuckoo bees known for?

Cuckoo bees are known for their unique behavior of brood parasitism, a form of kleptoparasitism in which they lay their eggs in the nests of other solitary bees. They exploit the host bees’ food provisions for their own offspring, essentially hijacking the nests for raising their young. This behavior is somewhat like that of certain cuckoo birds, which lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species.

Q: How many species of cuckoo bees exist, and where are they found?

There are more than 3,000 species of cuckoo bees, and they are found on every continent except Antarctica. They inhabit a wide range of environments, showcasing their adaptability.

Q: What threats do cuckoo bees face?

Cuckoo bees are threatened by global warming, pesticide use, and land use changes that affect the size and quality of their habitats. Furthermore, as obligate parasites, declines in host populations directly affect cuckoo bee populations.

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Written by Anna Dubey

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Nov 14, 2024 • Article History

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What are cuckoo bees known for?

How many species of cuckoo bees exist, and where are they found?

What threats do cuckoo bees face?

cuckoo bee, any of more than 3,000 species of solitary bees that engage in brood parasitism, a form of kleptoparasitism in which the bees deposit their eggs in the food-provisioned nests of other bees. Cuckoo bees are found on every continent except Antarctica and occupy a range of habitats. The term cuckoo bee is a behavioral descriptor and not a taxonomic group. As such, bees that exhibit this behavior are found in a number of families and genera, including cloak-and-dagger bees (Thyreus, family Apidae), sharptail bees (Coelioxys, family Megachilidae), Triepeolus and Epeolus (both in the family Apidae), blood bees (Sphecodes, ...(100 of 859 words)

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