About Sharp-tailed Bee
A cleptoparasitic bee with a sharply pointed abdomen used to pierce the cell walls of leafcutter bee nests. Females lay their eggs directly into provisioned host cells.
Did You Know?
The female's dagger-like abdomen tip is so sharp it can slice through multiple layers of leaf cell walls to deposit an egg.
How to Identify Sharp-tailed Bee
Sharp-tailed Bee (Coelioxys conoidea) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Megachilidae. Adults typically measure 12-15 mm.
Sharp-tailed Bee Habitat
Sharp-tailed Bee is found in beaches & coastal habitats, particularly across Europe, North Africa. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
Sharp-tailed Bee Diet and Feeding
Sharp-tailed Bee is a parasitic species that feeds on or within a host organism. Parasitic insects have evolved specialised adaptations to exploit their hosts while avoiding detection.
Where Is Sharp-tailed Bee Found?
Sharp-tailed Bee can be found in Europe, North Africa, where it inhabits beaches & coastal environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where Sharp-tailed Bee can be found
Is Sharp-tailed Bee Dangerous?
Sharp-tailed Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Sharp-tailed Bee Role in Nature
Sharp-tailed Bee plays a role in its ecosystem as part of the food web, serving as both consumer and prey. Insects like Sharp-tailed Bee are a vital food source for birds, bats, and other wildlife, and contribute to the overall health and balance of their environment.
Seasonal Activity
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharp-tailed Bee
What does Sharp-tailed Bee look like?
The Sharp-tailed Bee typically measures 12-15 mm.
Where is Sharp-tailed Bee found?
The Sharp-tailed Bee is found in Europe, North Africa and typically inhabits beaches & coastal environments.
What does Sharp-tailed Bee eat?
The Sharp-tailed Bee is a parasite that feeds on a host organism.
Is Sharp-tailed Bee dangerous to humans?
The Sharp-tailed Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.
Is Sharp-tailed Bee endangered?
The Sharp-tailed Bee is currently classified as Near Threatened by conservation assessments. Habitat loss and environmental changes are among the primary threats to its population.
What is an interesting fact about Sharp-tailed Bee?
The female's dagger-like abdomen tip is so sharp it can slice through multiple layers of leaf cell walls to deposit an egg.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Sharp-tailed Bee (Coelioxys conoidea). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/sharp-tailed-bee
MLA:
"Sharp-tailed Bee." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/sharp-tailed-bee.