Exoneura sp in the Southern Downs

Southern Downs BeesSouthern Downs Native Bees Amphylaeus obscuriceps Exoneura sp Homalictus urbanus Hylaeus euxanthus Hylaeus ruficeps ruficeps Lasioglossum lanarium Leioproctus xanthosus Megachile deanii Lipotriches gracilipes Peacock Carpenter Bee Red Singer

Commonly known as Reed Bees, are the genus Exoneura found in all states and territories of Australia, although they appear to bee more concentrated in the south.

Beautifully photographed here is the male of the Exoneura sp. in Ballandean in the Southern Downs region of Queensland.

Up to 8 mm in length, they have a glossy black head and thorax, whilst the abdomen is black or an orange-red in colour and (viewed from the side) wedge shape abdomen.

Male Exoneura sp, Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman — Male *Exoneura sp,* Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Informal: Pterygotes
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Apoidea
Informal: Apiformes
Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Xylocopinae
Tribe: Allodapini
Genus: Exoneura
Subgenus:
- Exoneura (Brevineura) Michener, 1965
- Exoneura (Exoneura) Smith, 1854
- Exoneura (Inquilina) Michener, 1961
Species:
- Exoneura marjoriella Rayment, 1949
- Exoneura nigrescens Friese, 1899
- Exoneura rufa Rayment, 1935

Footnote & References

Exoneura Smith, 1854, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:b4d68ed1-9f02-4763-8ed7-f3d9c5a572ba

Southern Downs QLDSouthern Downs Fauna Southern Downs Bees Southern Downs Birds Southern Downs Crustacean Southern Downs Frogs Southern Downs Insects Southern Downs Marsupials Southern Downs Reptiles Southern Downs Spiders

QueenslandGold Coast Region Lamington National Park Southern Downs QLD