 Irvine Regional Park, Orange, Orange County, CA. 6/25/10. © Ron Hemberger |
Cuckoo Bee
Triepeolus sp. Hymenoptera: Apidae Back to Hymenoptera index page |
| I saw a lot of activity along the ground, in a sandy spot a few feet from water and extending beneath an asphalt path. These bees were flying over the openings of burrows, mostly on bare ground and others appearing to be inside a rabbit hole that extended under the asphalt. These bees didn't seem to be the residents, though some of them did enter the burrows. While this was taking place, a fairly large wasp (Tachytes sp.) wasp was watching with me. I couldn't determine its part in the pageant, but it seemed to be tolerated by the bees and didn't appear to be aggressive towards them. |
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 Irvine Regional Park, Orange, Orange County, CA. 6/25/10. © Ron Hemberger |
 Irvine Regional Park, Orange, Orange County, CA. 6/25/10. © Ron Hemberger |
 Irvine Regional Park, Orange, Orange County, CA. 6/25/10. © Ron Hemberger |
 Irvine Regional Park, Orange, Orange County, CA. 6/25/10. © Ron Hemberger |
 Irvine Regional Park, Orange, Orange County, CA. 6/25/10. © Ron Hemberger |
 Nest openings of the potential host bees, probably Melissodes. Note geometry of excavated dirt, somewhat in the style of the more architecturally astute ants. Irvine Regional Park, Orange, Orange County, CA. 6/25/10. © Ron Hemberger |