Banded Dark-Bee
Stelis punctulatissima
The Banded Dark-Bee (Stelis punctulatissima) is a small, solitary cuckoo bee characterized by its dark metallic body with distinctive pale banding across the abdomen and densely punctured surface texture. As a kleptoparasitic species, it does not collect pollen itself but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other solitary bees, where its larvae consume the host's provisions.
35
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Henk Wallays, all rights reserved, uploaded by Henk Wallays
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Megachilidae
Genus
Stelis
Banded Dark-Bee belongs to the family Megachilidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Banded Dark-Bee (Stelis punctulatissima) is a small, solitary cuckoo bee characterized by its dark metallic body with distinctive pale banding across the abdomen and densely punctured surface texture. As a kleptoparasitic species, it does not collect pollen itself but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other solitary bees, where its larvae consume the host's provisions.
The Banded Dark-Bee faces significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and urbanization across its range. Climate change poses additional risks by altering flowering patterns of host plants and shifting suitable habitat zones, while pesticide use in agricultural areas directly impacts both the species and its food sources.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits Mediterranean scrublands, dry grasslands, and semi-arid regions with abundant flowering plants, typically found in areas with suitable nesting substrates such as plant stems and cavities. It shows preference for open habitats with diverse native flora at elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change impacts on host plant phenology
Loss of nesting sites
Urban development
Found in 35 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Banded Dark-Bee (Stelis punctulatissima). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/banded-dark-bee