A new western Canadian record of Epeoloides pilosulus (Cresson), with discussion of ecological associations, distribution and conservation status in Canada

Abstract

Epeoloidespilosulus, one of the rarest bees in North America, is a cleptoparasite ofMacropisbees which themselves are uncommon oligoleges of oil-producingLysimachiaflowers. Only two specimens of the cleptoparasite have been reported from Canada since the 1960s, both from Nova Scotia.A recently collected specimen ofEpeoloidespilosulusfrom Alberta, Canada confirms this species from that province and greatly increases its known range in western North America. This record and additional specimens from southern Ontario (one collected in 1978) have implications for the conservation status of this COSEWIC assessed species in Canada, which are discussed.