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Dasyhesma aurea

Dasyhesma aurea is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and the subfamily Euryglossinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2004 by Australian entomologist Elizabeth Exley.

Etymology

The specific epithet aurea is a Latin reference to the characteristic golden setae (body hairs).

Description

Measurements of female specimens are: body length 9.0 mm, wing length 5.5 mm. Males: body length 7.0 mm, wing length 5.0 mm. The head and mesosoma are black; the metasoma is orange-yellow (females) or dark brown (males); the setae are golden.

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in the Mid West region of Western Australia. The type locality is the East Yuna Nature Reserve, some 34 km west-north-west of Mullewa.

Behaviour

The adults are flying mellivores. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Jacksonia cupulifera, Malleostemon roseus and Baeckea species.

References