Trachusa byssina (also called byssal resin-leafcutter) is a species of bees within the genus Trachusa.[1][2][3]
This species measures from 11 to 12 mm. Males are without light spots on the body with the exception of the yellow-colored face. The abdomen end is not reinforced as in many other Anthidium species. In the female, the thorax is hairy fox-red. The abdomen is sparsely covered in light brown hair with inconspicuous hair ties on the tergite ends. The belly brush is white. Both genders can be identified with experience in the field.[4]
This species is distributed from Portugal through Europe, Asia Minor, Caucasus, Central Asia and Siberia to the Amur Oblast and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast. North to 60° N in Norway (Oppland), 63 ° N in Sweden), 64° N in Finland (Kokkola / Central Ostrobothnia), in Russia to Karelia, Kirov and Perm. South to Abruzzo, northern Greece (Olymp / Timfi) and northern Turkey. Currently it is reported from almost all regions in Central Europe, only historically in Schleswig-Holstein, the Lake Geneva area and southern Ticino.[5] In Germany the species is widespread, from the plains to higher mountain areas and moderately frequent.[4]
In central Europe this species can be found mainly in the low mountain ranges and there on the south-facing forest edges, which border directly on poor meadows or have a broad, herbaceous border. It occurs also on wide, sunny forest paths or clearings with larger Lotus stands. Also on inland dunes, in sand heaths, in old fallow vineyards, on extensively grazed or fallow sheep pastures (juniper heaths) as well as in abandoned sand pits and quarries. Often syntopic with Anthidium strigatum. Nests are preferably in slightly sloping, more or less south-exposed places that are not or only sparsely overgrown and where the soil is at least somewhat solidified (e.g. by step, moss, grass roots). It uses different types of soil and also nests in humus soil, but most often sandy soil or loess loam are colonized. In the vicinity of the nesting site, conifers, especially pines (Pinus sylvestris) and deciduous trees, must grow as suppliers of building material. The females sometimes collect 100–200 m from the nesting site.[4]
Trachusa byssina is univoltin. The flight period ranges from early June to mid-August. Hibernation happens as a resting larva in the cocoon.
Trachusa byssina is an oligolectic species specializing in Fabaceae. The main pollen source is Lotus corniculatus. Pollen is also collected from other Fabaceae, especially where it only blooms sporadically or not at all. The following are documented: Lotus uliginosus, Onobrychis viciifolia, Ononis repens, Ononis spinosa, Vicia cracca, Lathyrus heterophyllus, Lathyrus sylvestris, Lathyrus tuberosus, Lathyrus pratensis, Medicago sativa and Securigera varia. The females usually stick to certain flowering plants, especially when they collect on Lotus, but often two, occasionally three plant species are used during a collecting flight. All the pollen sources mentioned except Ononis and Securigera also offer the females nectar, which is abundantly added to the larval provisions. The males patrol flowering Lotus plants.[4]
Trachusa byssina nests in self-dug cavities in the earth, singly or in small colonies (clusters of 10-50 nests). The nest is a branching earth tube 10–15 cm long. 2-4 brood cells are placed one behind the other at the end of the side aisles. For the construction of the cells, strips are cut out of the leaves of various trees and herbs, which serve as cell walls. Leaves from birch (Betula), hawthorn (Crataegus), willowherb (Epilobium), beech (Fagus sylvatica), English oak (Quercus robur), roses (Rosa) or blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) are used.[4] Small bits of resin are then collected and deposited at the end of the brood cell until there is a sufficient amount to coat the inside of the leaves with a layer of resin.[5] The inside is mostly covered by pine resin (Pinus sylvestris), possibly also by spruce (Picea abies).[4]
Trachusa byssina is probably used as host species by Coelioxys quadridentata and Aglaoapis tridentata, which are suspected to be cuckoo bees.[5]
From Latin "byssina" = "made of the finest linen, calico, from batiste" (Greek foreign word).
Subgenus Trachusa PANZER, 1804.[5]
Synonym: Anthidium byssinum PANZER, 1805; Trachusa serratulae TANK, 1804.[5]
Trachusa byssina (also called byssal resin-leafcutter) is a species of bees within the genus Trachusa.
De grote harsbij (Trachusa byssina, syn. T. byssinum, voorheen in geslacht Anthidium geplaatst) is een vliesvleugelig insect uit de familie Megachilidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1798 door Panzer.[1]
Bronnen, noten en/of referentiesHartsbi (Trachusa byssina) är ett solitärt (icke samhällsbildande) bi i familjen buksamlarbin.
Ett tämligen kraftigt bi med rödbrunt huvud och ryggsida på mellankroppen (mellankroppens sidor är vitaktiga) och nästan svart bakkropp. Arten blir mellan 9 och 11 mm lång.[3]
Hartsbiet är specialserat på ärtväxter som näringskälla. Flygtiden sträcker sig från juni till juli, vissa år till augusti.[3] Under sommaren bygger honan sina larvbon i grus- och sandmark med öppningar i växtligheten som outnyttjade sandtag, solexponerade skogsbryn, sandiga vägrenar och skogsstigar, ofta i kolonier tillsammans med andra honor av samma art.[3][4] Bona anläggs som nästan horisontella tunnlar på 8 till 10 cm längd.[4] De grenar sig i två till tre armar, och varje gren avslutas med två till fyra larvceller, som honan förser med näring i form av pollen och nektar. På insidan täcks gångarna med blad från björk eller mjölke, som klistras ihop med kåda. Det förekommer att bona parasiteras av konkägelbi, vars larv lever av den insamlade näringen efter det att värdägget ätits upp eller värdlarven dödats.[3]
Arten förekommer i större delen av det europeiska fastlandet, österut förbi Kaukasus till norra Asien.[3]
Hartsbiet är reproducerande i Sverige och betecknas där som livskraftigt.[5] Det förekommer upp till Ångermanland, men är vanligast i östra Götaland och Svealand. I Finland är det vanligt i södra och östra delarna av landet. Det finns även i Norge och Danmark.[3]
Hartsbi (Trachusa byssina) är ett solitärt (icke samhällsbildande) bi i familjen buksamlarbin.
Trachusa byssina là một loài ong trong họ Megachilidae. Loài này được Panzer miêu tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1798.[1]
Trachusa byssina là một loài ong trong họ Megachilidae. Loài này được Panzer miêu tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1798.