End-of-Summer Downunder - Garden Visitor ... the Neon Cuckoo Bee

Ive never seen before

I love this photograph it’s absolutely stunning.

Must nominated this one. It is beauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful.

Stunning picture Bernieh

Such an unusual bee, Bernie! I like this photo, what flower is the bee feeding from?

well,
thireus nitidulus?

Thanks all. I've never seen one before either until this year. The iridescent blue fur on its body is simply dazzling in the sunshine.

Yes Bik. This is Thyreus nitidulus.

The Neon Cuckoo Bee is cleptoparasitic. They do not build their own nest, instead the female Neon Cuckoo Bee lays eggs in the nest of our native Blue-banded bee. Hence the common name ... Cuckoo. As you know Cuckoo birds get another species to raise their young.

A female Neon Cuckoo Bee stalks the nest of a Blue-banded Bee, and tries to sneak into it during construction of the cell intended for the Blue-banded's egg.

If she can go undetected while the female Blue-banded Bee is busy preparing food and shelter for her own young, the female Neon Cuckoo Bee will also lay an egg in the cell.

When the cell is sealed by the nest-owner, the egg of the Cuckoo Bee hatches and the larva eats all the nectar/pollen provisions. It then spins a cocoon and pupates. When the Blue-banded Bee larva emerges, there is no food left and it dies.

Interesting info Bernieh

Glad you thought so, Klahanie.

It's looks beautiful against the skyflower (Duranta erecta).

: ) It certainly does, Andy.

Thanks very much Bernie for the info! :-)) Makes very interesting reading!

You're very welcome, Balcony.