Nov 16, 2014
bee 04487d04, f, angle, south africa_2014-08-06-11.26.52 ZS PMax by Sam Droege on Flickr.
Serapista species, Unknown Pillow Bee, collected in South Africa by Laurence Packer
The zebra-like markings on this bee are diagnostic, the white stripes are formed from blade like brilliant white hairs that are particularly beautiful when viewed under high magnification. This genus forms a small group of four species found only in Africa. They form their nests from loose, fluffy masses of plant fibers and sometimes animal hairs which they attach to plant stems. The whole structure appears vaguely like a cotton boll. The brood cells are made inside this ball of fluff and the larvae develop as if inside a pillow.