Centris
| Centris | |
|---|---|
| |
| Centris nitida | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Tribe: | Centridini |
| Genus: | Centris |
| Diversity | |
| > 110 species in 12 subgenera | |
ThegenusCentriscontains circa 250speciesof largeapidbees occurring in theNeotropicalandNearcticrealms, fromKansastoArgentina.Most females of these bees possess adaptations for carrying floral oils rather than (or in addition to)pollenornectar.They mainly visit plants of the familyMalpighiaceaeto collect oil, but also visit others such asPlantaginaceae,Calceolariaceae,andKrameriaceae.Recent studies have shown they aresisterto thecorbiculatebees, the most well-known and economically important group of bees[1]
They are large (up to 3 cm), fast-flying bees, distinguished from the closely related genusEpicharisby the absence of long, whip-likesetaethat project backwards from just behind the eyes. They are commonly encountered bees in American deserts, and are active at very high ambient temperatures when many other species are in hiding. They can often be seen in large numbers ondesert-willow(Chilopsis) andpalo verde(Parkinsonia) blossoms. Bees of this genus are of some economical significance in pollinating crops such asBrazil Nut(Bertholletia excelsa) andCashew(Anacardium occidentale,pollinated byC. tarsataamong others).
Themating systemof one species,C. pallida,has been particularly well-researched by thebehavioral ecologistJohn Alcock;theentomologistAdolpho Duckealso studied this genus.
Selected species
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Martins, Aline C.; Melo, Gabriel A. R.; Renner, Susanne S. (2014). "The corbiculate bees arose from New World oil-collecting bees: Implications for the origin of pollen baskets".Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.80:88–94.Bibcode:2014MolPE..80...88M.doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2014.07.003.PMID25034728.
External links
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