Amegilla chlorocyanea
| Amegilla chlorocyanea | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Genus: | Amegilla |
| Subgenus: | Notomegilla |
| Species: | A. chlorocyanea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Amegilla chlorocyanea (Cockerell, 1914)
| |
Amegilla chlorocyanea, the blue-banded bee, is a species of bee in the family Apidae. It is one of two species in the subgenus Notomegilla. The abdominal hair bands are usually white with blue-green iridescence, but in about 10% of specimens the bands are orange. The outer leg hairs also have blue-green iridescence. It is endemic to Australia, and can be found across most of the mainland. In southern parts of the country it can be found in the warmer months, and in northern Australia it is active all year round. This species will visit the flowers of both native and introduced plants. It has shown potential as an important pollinator of tomatoes and other food crops.