Calliopsis subalpina
Cockerell, 1894
Calliopsis subalpina is a of mining bee in the Andrenidae, first described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1894. As a member of the Calliopsis, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized solitary bees that nest in the ground. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records spanning from middle to high elevations. Like other Andrenidae, females construct individual burrows in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for their offspring.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Calliopsis subalpina: /kæˈlaɪ.əp.sɪs sʌˈbæl.pɪ.nə/
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Identification
Members of Calliopsis are generally small bees with relatively short tongues compared to other . The Calliopsis can be distinguished from related andrenid genera by features of the facial structure and wing venation, though -level identification typically requires examination of microscopic characters. Calliopsis subalpina specifically may be recognized by subtle differences in coloration and body proportions, though detailed diagnostic features for this species are not well documented in accessible literature.
Habitat
Subalpine and montane regions, as suggested by the specific epithet "subalpina." The has been recorded at middle to higher elevations in mountainous areas.
Distribution
Central America and North America. Specific country records include Mexico and the United States, with occurrences in mountainous western regions.
Life Cycle
Solitary ground-nesting . Females excavate individual burrows in soil, provisioning each with a mass of pollen and nectar before laying a single . Larvae develop within these cells, feeding on the stored provisions, then pupate and emerge as the following season.
Behavior
Males are known to fly persistently over nesting areas searching for females, briefly landing before taking again. This patrolling is typical of many solitary .
Ecological Role
. As a pollen-collecting , it contributes to the of flowering plants in its montane and subalpine .
Similar Taxa
- Calliopsis zebrataSimilar size and ground-nesting ; males also patrol nesting areas. Calliopsis zebrata occurs in sandy soils at lower elevations and has distinctive banding patterns on the .
- Other AndrenidaeMany Andrenidae are small, ground-nesting bees with similar . Calliopsis can be separated by facial and wing venation characters.