Melitidae

Melitidae is a family of bees within the superfamily Apoidea. This family encompasses a diverse range of bee species, primarily found in Africa and Madagascar, with some representatives in the Middle East, South America, and Australia.

Melitidae bees exhibit a variety of nesting habits, including solitary ground nesting and communal nesting. They collect pollen and nectar from a wide range of flowering plants, playing a crucial role in pollination within their respective ecosystems.

Morphologically, Melitidae bees can be distinguished by a combination of features, often requiring expert taxonomic identification. Historically, the classification of Melitidae has been subject to revision, with certain subfamilies being elevated to family status (e.g., Dasypodaidae) based on phylogenetic analyses. Ongoing research continues to refine the understanding of the relationships within Melitidae and its placement within Apoidea.