Melanempis scoliiformis,f, madagascar, face
Melanempis scoliiformis,f, madagascar, face
Melanempis scoliiformis, Bottle Green Madagascan Cuckoo, specimen collected by xxx in Madagascar
Almost all of the bees native to the large and geographically isolated island of Madagascar are endemic (as are most of the flora and the rest of the fauna for that matter), occurring only on that Island and not on the mainland of Africa. One of several endemic bee genera of Madagascar, Melanempis consists of 5 described species all of which are cuckoo bees. The Bottle Green Madagascan Cuckoo is the largest of the lot and very unusual among the bees in being green but not metallic. All other bees with a green exoskeleton in this book (for example xxx) are a metallic green, with the color derived in a similar way to that obtained with a prism. The present example has a green color to the exoskeleton that is based on pigment. Oddly enough, similar dark green cuticle is found in a range of wasps but only on Madagascar. We know of no reason for this added oddity on the Island.
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