DSC_1065 Maori masked bee (Hylaeus relegatus) female. These tiny native bees look more like their wasp ancestors. A related species (H.agilis) has been observed prising open the buds of Red mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala), and Yellow mistletoe (Elytranthe flavida) flowers, and pushing down the long tube to collect the pollen. Unlike other bees which carry pollen in baskets on their hairy hind legs, female Hylaeus bees are sparsely haired, and carry pollen internally. Otago Peninsula *
DSC_1113 Maori masked bee (Hylaeus relegatus) female feeding on nectar in base of a native mistletoe (Peraxilla). A related species (H.agilis) has been observed opening Peraxilla flowers. They look more like their wasp ancestors, and unlike other bees which carry pollen in baskets on their hairy hind legs, female Hylaeus bees are sparsly haired, and carry pollen internally. Waipori Gorge *
DSC_1118 Maori masked bee (Hylaeus relegatus) on the tip of an unopened flowerbud of of the native mistletoe (Peraxilla). A related species (H.agilis) has been observed opening Peraxilla flowers. They look more like their wasp ancestors, and unlike other bees which carry pollen in baskets on their hairy hind legs, female Hylaeus bees are sparsly haired, and carry pollen internally. Waipori Gorge *
