#thyreus

[onenicebugperday]

Decorated cloak-and-dagger bee, Thyreus decorus, Apidae

Found in Asia, this species is a kleptoparasite of other bees, primarily those in the genus Amegilla.

Photos 1-2 by usaviah, 3 by harumkoh, and 4-5 by m_sato

[herpsandbirds]

Neon Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus nitidulus), perched on a small twig, family Apidae, Australia

photographs by Tony Vernon

[razehider]

it's a commonly accepted fact that animals are, on the whole, cuter when sleeping. in the case of bees, they're also not bastards when sleeping, so i could get as close to this cloak and dagger cuckoo bee (Thyreus sp.) as i wanted. although my presence was unnoticed or at least deemed unimportant, it did briefly buzz when i grabbed the plant and i could feel the vibrations while holding the stem, which was neat

i don't think there was an angle of this thing i didn't photograph at the time, knowing full well all the angles in the world still wouldn't help me identify it to species. but look at its stupid eyes

(August 6th, 2025)

[hidewaku]

川沿いの散歩道…黄花コスモスにルリモンハナバチ

[thefugitivesaint]

André Castaigne (1861-1929), 'Thyreus', ''Scribner's magazine'', Vol. 30, #6, Dec. 1901 Source

[herpsandbirds]

Neon Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus nitidulus), family Apidae, Australia

photograph by Vengolis

[onenicebugperday]

Decorated cloak-and-dagger bee, Thyreus decorus, Apinae

Species in the genus Thyreus are cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other bees. Once it hatches, the larva will eat food stores meant for the host larva, and sometimes the host larva itself. Found in Asia.

Photos 1-7 by homemountain, 8 by ming_de, and 9-10 by harumkoh

[herpsandbirds]

Neon Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus nitidulus), family Apidae, Australia

photograph by Mark Acal