Psithyrus (Noun)
Meaning
A large bee that resembles the bumblebee but lacks pollen-collecting apparatus and a worker caste.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The female Psithyrus cuckoo bee relies on a bumblebee host for survival by laying its eggs within the host's nest.
- Cuckoo bumblebees of the genus Psithyrus exhibit reproductive behaviors not typical of bumblebees due to their unique characteristics.
- Entomologists observe the reproductive behavior of Psithyrus in comparison to that of typical bumblebees.
- One main characteristic of the Psithyrus species is their distinctive coloring which distinguishes them from true bumblebees.
- Research suggests Psithyrus often destroy or even consume host larvae before producing offspring to prevent future threats to their own offspring.