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Melecta luctuosa
This bees are 12 -14 mm big. This bees parasitises other bees larvae, that is they don't build their own nests but lay their eggs in the nests of other bee species. They parasitized mainly Anthophora aestivalis, Anthophora crinipes , Anthophora plagiata and Anthophora retusa.They are known to adopt a strange roosting behaviour as evening approaches, tightly grasping the ends of twigs and grass tips with their jaws to rest. The bee flies from early April to late July.
The species is widespread in southern and central Europe.
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