Superfamily Apoidea Rank Family | Suborder Apocrita Scientific name Stenotritidae Higher classification Bee Order Hymenopterans | |
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Similar Bee, Hymenopterans, Melittidae, Meganomiinae, Heterogyna | ||
The Stenotritidae is the smallest of all formally recognized bee families, with only 21 species in two genera, all of them restricted to Australia. Historically, they were generally considered to belong in the family Colletidae, but the stenotritids are presently considered their sister taxon, and deserving of family status. Of prime importance is that the stenotritids have unmodified mouthparts, whereas colletids are separated from all other bees by having bilobed glossae.
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They are large, densely hairy, fast-flying bees, which make simple burrows in the ground and firm, ovoid provision masses in cells lined with a waterproof secretions. The larvae do not spin cocoons.
Fossil brood cells of a stenotritid bee have been found in the Pleistocene of the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.
Ctenocolletes
Stenotritus
