Braunsapis is a genus of bees in the tribe Allodapini. It is the largest genus of the tribe and is known for its array of social behaviors.[1] The genus is distributed in Africa, Asia, and Australasia.[2]

Braunsapis
Braunsapis anthracina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Tribe: Allodapini
Genus: Braunsapis
Michener, 1969
Species

89+, see text

Most of these bees are slender in shape and black in color, though some are paler or have red coloration.[3]

Like other allodapines, bees of this genus raise young in a nest burrow.[4] Burrows are dug in plants, such as African blue basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum) and lantana (Lantana camara).[3]

Species include:[2][5]

Braunsapis larvae inside a nest burrow

References

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  1. ^ a b Engel, M. S. (2013). A new species of the allodapine bee genus Braunsapis from the Central African Republic (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Journal of Melittology, (21), 1-7.
  2. ^ a b Braunsapis Michener. Iziko Museums.
  3. ^ a b Braunsapis bees. Bee Genera. Keys and Fact Sheets, BioNET-EAFRINET.
  4. ^ a b Engel, M. S., et al. (2014). Allodapine bees in the Arabian Peninsula (Hymenoptera: Apidae): A new species of Braunsapis from the Sarawat Mountains, with an overview of the Arabian fauna. American Museum Novitates 3801 1-15.
  5. ^ Braunsapis. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
  6. ^ Michener, C. D., et al. (2003). A new parasitic bee of the genus Braunsapis from India (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Allodapini). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 76(3) 518-522.

Further reading

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