Rediviva albifasciata

{{Short description|Species of bee}}

{{Speciesbox

| genus = Rediviva

| species = albifasciata

| authority = Friese, 1911

}}

Rediviva albifasciata is a species of oil-collecting bee in the Rediviva genus and Melittidae family endemic to South Africa.{{cite journal |last1=Steiner |first1=K. E. |last2=Whitehead |first2=V. B. |title=Oil secretion and the pollination of Colpias mollis (Scrophulariaceae) |journal=Plant Systematics and Evolution |date=2002-11-20 |volume=235 |issue=1/4 (2002) |pages=53–66 |doi=10.1007/s00606-002-0216-y |jstor=23645036 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23645036|url-access=subscription }} It is the smallest of all Rediviva species.{{rp|p=59}}

Characteristics

The distribution of Rediviva albifasciata is strongly congruent with the distribution of the plant Colpias mollis.{{rp|p=61}} Its size allows it to collect oil from C. mollis flowers much more easily than other bees, such as R. bicava and R. parva.{{rp|p=59}}

The forelegs of R. albifasciata are covered in blade-like hairs ventrally that allow it to collect and rupture elaiophores from C. mollis.{{cite journal |last1=Kuhlmann |first1=Michael |last2=Hollens |first2=Hilke |title=Morphology of oil-collecting pilosity of female Rediviva bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Melittidae) reflects host plant use |journal=Journal of Natural History |date=12 March 2015 |volume=49 |issue=9–10 |pages=561–573 |doi=10.1080/00222933.2014.939732 |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2014.939732|url-access=subscription }}

References