Hylaeus nigritus explained

Hylaeus nigritus, also known as the black masked bee, is a species of solitary bee native to much of Europe, with sightings and preserved specimens recorded as far east as Nizhny Novgorod, Russia and the Caucuses.^[1]

Description

The black masked bee is average sized compared to other members of Hylaeus, measuring 8 to 10 mm in length. Males are mostly black with a distinctive white face while females are entirely black.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Recorded sightings of the black masked bee extend across Europe and into Russia, with preserved specimens found in the Caucuses.^[3] Not much is known about the species' specific habitat or behavior.

References

1. Web site: Hylaeus nigritus (Fabricius, 1798) . 2023-04-14 . www.gbif.org . en.
2. Proshchalykin . Maxim Yu. . Dathe . Holger H. . 2012-07-27 . The bees of the genus Hylaeus Fabricius 1793 of the Asian part of Russia, with a key to species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae) . Zootaxa . 3401 . 1 . 1 . 10.11646/zootaxa.3401.1.1 . 1175-5334.
3. Proshchalykin . Maxim Yu . Dathe . Holger H. . 2021-08-24 . New and little-known bees of the genus Hylaeus Fabricius, 1793 (Hymenoptera, Colletidae) from the Caucasus region . Journal of Hymenoptera Research . en . 84 . 169–185 . 10.3897/jhr.84.68250 . 1314-2607. free .