Neolarra cockerelli is a species of bee belonging to the genus Neolarra in the family Apidae. It is a member of the tribe Neolarrini, a group composed of small, cleptoparasitic bees native to North America.
Taxonomy and Discovery
The species was formally described by the entomologist J.C. Crawford in 1916. The specific epithet, cockerelli, was chosen in honor of Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell, a prominent figure in hymenopterology who identified and named thousands of bee species during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Physical Characteristics
Neolarra cockerelli is noted for its diminutive size, which is characteristic of the genus Neolarra. These bees are among the smallest in the world, typically ranging from 2 to 4 millimeters in length. Morphologically, they possess sparse body hair (pubescence) compared to non-parasitic bees and exhibit a simplified wing venation, most notably the presence of only one submarginal cell.
Ecology and Behavior
As a cleptoparasite, or "cuckoo bee," N. cockerelli does not possess structures for collecting pollen, such as scopa, nor does it construct its own nests. Instead, females search for the nests of other bees—primarily those within the genus Perdita (family Andrenidae). The female Neolarra enters the host’s burrow to deposit an egg in a provisioned cell. Upon hatching, the Neolarra larva typically destroys the host's egg or young larva and consumes the pollen and nectar stores provided by the host.
Distribution
The species is primarily distributed across the arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Records indicate its presence in the southwestern United States, including states such as Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, where its host bees are also prevalent. Its activity is generally synchronized with the foraging and nesting periods of its specific host species.
