Afromelecta_lieftincki_M_11

Descrission:

A series of pictures from Silas Bossert from the National Collection at the Smithsonian. They use their own hi res camera equipment, but prefer a light background. Here we have Afromelecta lieftincki, a nest parasite. While no one has confirmed what this species parasitizes, it is likely given its relatives, that it parasitizes Anthophora type bees. You should travel to Africa and find out. This specimen was collected while on expedition with Jonathan Mawdsley and James Harrison in Kruger National Park.