Amegilla xylocopoides


Amegilla xylocopoides or Amegilla xylocopoides is a species of digger bee. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2020 by entomologist Remko Leys.

Etymology

The specific epithet xylocopoides refers to a superficial resemblance, in hair and wing colouration, to female carpenter bees Xylocopa spp.

Description

The body length is 16–19 mm, forewing length 13–16 mm, head width 6–7 mm.

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in Far North Queensland on the Cape York Peninsula. The male holotype was collected 19 km south-east of Laura and the female allotype at Iron Range.

Behaviour

Male territorial behaviour has been observed taking place over water vegetated with native water hyacinth, Monochoria australasica.