Guwahati, Aug 6: They do not build their nests or gather food. Instead, they rely on other bees to do the hard work for them.

Cleptoparasitic bees, also termed “cuckoo bees” (similar to the behaviour of cuckoo birds), are remarkable for their deceptive behaviour. They  do not collect pollen or nectar for their young. Instead, they lay their eggs in the nests of other species and are remarkable for their deceptive behaviour.

In an exciting development for entomologists and nature enthusiasts alike, a new species of cleptoparasitic bee, Tetralonioidella meghalayensis , has been discovered in  Meghalaya. This discovery, detailed in a recent publication by researchers Pynhunlin Nola Kharkrang Dohling and Debjani Dey from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, marks a significant addition to India’s apidological records.

This new species has been aptly named after Meghalaya, paying homage to the state that continues to be a treasure trove of biodiversity.

“When the cleptoparasite’s eggs hatch, the larvae consume the host bee’s pollen stores and often outcompete or destroy the host larvae. This behavior allows cleptoparasitic bees to exploit the resources gathered by other bees” experts say.

The term “cleptoparasitic” comes from the Greek word “kleptes,” meaning thief, and “parasite,” indicating their reliance on the work of others.

The new species, Tetralonioidella meghalayensis, was found during a systematic sampling in the undisturbed areas of the Botanical Survey of India in Umiam. This cleptoparasitic bee is part of the larger Apidae family, which includes well-known pollinators like honeybees and bumblebees.

This bee measures approximately 15.07 mm in body length. It has a predominantly black body with amber-yellow and reddish-black highlights on various body parts. Its wings are translucent with shades of brown, and the forewings have a distinctive marginal cell longer than the distance from its apex to the wing tip.

The bee was collected from wildflowers of the Chinese Rain Bells ( Strobilanthes hamiltoniana ), indicating its specific floral associations within Meghalaya’s rich flora.

The researchers associated with the study say the potential distribution maps of this new species show that T. meghalayensis could also be established in more other Indian states, according to the distribution records in available literature.

“The Northeastern region of India, including Meghalaya, has rich biodiversity found in the area, ranging from alpine scrubs to tropical rainforests, which contributes to the large and varied Oriental fauna and this requires more systematic and faunistic studies in the country. Thus, it is possible that numerous other bee species may await
recognition” the researchers say.

Experts say the discovery not only enriches the known diversity of the Tetralonioidella genus but also highlights the critical role that Meghalaya’s unique environment plays in sustaining diverse insect populations. “With only two other species of this genus previously recorded in India, the finding of Tetralonioidella meghalayensis underscores the importance of continued exploration and conservation efforts in the region” experts say.

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