Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza, Orange County, CA. 8-1-06. © Ron Hemberger.

Zacosmia maculata

Hymenoptera: Apidae

Life cycle. This bee is a kleptoparasite on other bees of the genus Anthophora. The female introduces its ovipositor into the host cell after it has been capped and attaches one or more eggs to the inside of the cap. When the larva hatches, it comsumes eggs of the host species as well as the provisions introduced by the host bee.

Back to Hymenoptera index page
Back to Arthropods of Orange County, California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California

Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza, Orange County, CA. 5-24-09. © Ron Hemberger