Hylaeus ruficeps

Hylaeus ruficeps
Female (nominate ssp.)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Colletidae
Genus: Hylaeus
Species:
H. ruficeps
Binomial name
Hylaeus ruficeps
(Smith, 1853)
Synonyms
  • Prosopis ruficeps Smith, 1853
  • Prosopis fulvicornis Smith, 1853
  • Prosopis purpurata Smith, 1879
  • Prosopis cassiae Cockerell, 1910
  • Prosopis kalamundae Cockerell, 1915
  • Prosopis kalamundae jugata Cockerell, 1915

Hylaeus ruficeps, or Hylaeus (Euprosopoides) ruficeps, is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and subfamily Hylaeinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described by English entomologist Frederick Smith in 1853.

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs across much of mainland Australia. Type localities include Adelaide in South Australia; Mackay, Queensland; and Kalamunda, Western Australia.

Subspecies

  • H. r. ruficeps (Smith, 1853) – widespread
  • H. r. kalamundae (Cockerell, 1915) – south-west Western Australia

Behaviour

The adults are flying mellivores. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Angophora, Atalaya, Brachychiton, Dendrobium, Eucalyptus, Eugenia, Tristaniopsis and Xanthorrhoea species.

Female (ssp. kalamundae)
Male (ssp. kalamundae)
Male (nominate ssp.)

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, F (1853). Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. Part I. Andrenidae and Apidae. London: British Museum. pp. 1–197 [29].
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Species Hylaeus (Euprosopoides) ruficeps (Smith, 1853)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-09-19.