Aglaoapis tridentata, Spined Goth, specimen collected by Heinrich Friese in Austria

There are but three species of Goths, oddly scattered across the northern Old World with the Spined Goth occurring across the temperate regions, one in India, and one way down in South Africa. Perhaps their empire was once larger and intermediate populations and species have disappeared.

This is another cleptoparasite, it has lost all its pollen collecting hairs and has become an invader of other species nests. The Spined Goth is known to take over the nesting cells of bees in the Hoplitis and Megachile groups and appears to be not very choosy about its hosts other than perhaps sticking with bees in its same family (Megachilidae). One last odd thing about this bee is that it is one of a small number of bee species that has completely lost its sting. One would think that a species that invades another species nest would want such a weapon, but in this case some other cleverness must allow it to lay its eggs without conflict.

Further in Summer than the Birds

Pathetic from the Grass

A minor Nation celebrates

Its unobtrusive Mass.

No Ordinance be seen

So gradual the Grace

A pensive Custom it becomes

Enlarging Loneliness.

Antiquest felt at Noon

When August burning low

Arise this spectral Canticle

Repose to typify

Remit as yet no Grace

No Furrow on the Glow

Yet a Druidic Difference

Enhances Nature now

-- Emily Dickinson. Original public domain image from Flickr

Aglaoapis tridentata, f,face