Amegilla are generally medium-sized to very large bees, about 10-12mm of robust form.[2] The body and legs are hairy, and the tongue and proboscis are long.[2] All Amegilla species burrow to make nests[2] and they are commonly referred to as "digger bees". Several species have blue metallic bands on the abdomen and are referred to as "blue-banded bees" Bands may differ with the sex, with males having more bands than females.[3]
Range and habitat
The genus occurs all around the world, but very few live above 45° North.[4]Amegilla are associated with arid and subarid biomes, matorrals, steppes, sub-deserts and deserts.[5] They also commonly occur in farmlands, especially those that border their preferred habitats.[3]
They are very fast, agile flyers, and because of this, some taxa are close to impossible to catch. This in combination with the fact that some species are known from only a few specimens means that their abundance and distribution is believed to be underestimated.[4][5]
At a glance, they may be confused with honeybees. However, they do not produce harvestable honey or live in colonies. Amegilla bees also carry their pollen between hairs on the hind legs, whereas in honeybees the hind leg has a smooth, spoon-shaped area where pollen is collected.[3]
^Pramanik, D., Dorst, N., Meesters, N. et al. Evolution and development of three highly specialized floral structures of bee-pollinated Phalaenopsis species. EvoDevo 11, 16 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13227-020-00160-z
_quadrifasciata.jpg)
.jpg)
