Exoneura

Exoneura (also called the Reed bee) is a genus of social bees belonging to the taxonomic family Apidae. This genus has glossy black head and thorax with a black or red-orange abdomen. The species of this genus are found only in Australia, often in small burrows they dig up themselves. Members of this genus are generally 8 millimeters (mm) in length. This species is parasitized by members of the genus Inquilina. This relationship with Inquilina has been going on for approximately 15 million years.

Burrows
This species are often found in small burrows which two or more adult Exoneura can be found in. They put pollen and nectar inside their burrows which they lay their eggs on. Their nest can contain many young at several stages of life.

Species
Species:


 * Exoneura abstrusa Cockerell, 1922
 * Exoneura albolineata Cockerell, 1929
 * Exoneura albopilosa Rayment, 1951
 * Exoneura richardsoni
 * Exoneura robusta