Melittinae

Melittinae is a subfamily of bees within the family Melittidae. This subfamily comprises a relatively small number of species, generally found in the Northern Hemisphere. The bees in this subfamily are solitary, meaning each female constructs and provisions her own nest independently, rather than living in a social colony. Their life cycle typically involves the female collecting pollen and nectar to provision individual cells within her nest, where she lays an egg. The larvae then develop within these cells.

A key characteristic of Melittinae bees is their specialized pollen-collecting apparatus, often referred to as scopae. These scopae are typically located on the hind legs, though some species may have abdominal scopae. The pollen carried in the scopae is used to provision the nest cells for their offspring. The diet of Melittinae bees is often restricted to pollen from a specific group of plants, a phenomenon known as oligolecty. This specialization can make them important pollinators for the plants they visit.

The nesting habits of Melittinae vary, but many species excavate nests in the ground. The timing of their emergence and activity is often linked to the blooming periods of their preferred floral resources. Despite their ecological importance as pollinators, Melittinae bees are less well-known than some other bee groups due to their relatively low abundance and solitary nature.