- Osiris (genus)
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Osiris Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Suborder: Apocrita Superfamily: Apoidea Family: Apidae Subfamily: Apinae Tribe: Osirini Genus: Osiris
Smith, 1854Species >20 species
The cleptoparasitic bee genus Osiris is a rare group of apid bees from the Neotropics (Mexico through Argentina), that lay their eggs in the nests of bees in the related tribe Tapinotaspidini, such as Paratetrapedia. Most of the known species are pale yellowish, smooth and shining, and very wasp-like in appearance.
Females in this tribe are unusual in having the last metasomal sternite elongated to form a sheath for the sting, which is remarkably long.
References
- C. D. Michener (2000) The Bees of the World, Johns Hopkins University Press.
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