Perdita distropica
Timberlake, 1956
Perdita distropica is a of mining bee in the Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1956. As a member of the Perdita, it belongs to a diverse group of small, solitary bees native to North America. The specific epithet 'distropica' suggests a distribution pattern that may deviate from typical tropical or subtropical ranges expected for the group. Like other Perdita species, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary , though detailed biological studies are limited.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Perdita distropica: /pɛrˈdiːtə dɪˈstrɒpɪkə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Distribution
North America. Specific locality records are sparse in available sources.
Ecological Role
As a member of Andrenidae, likely contributes to pollination of native flowering plants in its range. The Perdita includes many pollen , though specific plant relationships for this are undocumented.
Similar Taxa
- Perdita minimaBoth are minute Perdita ; P. minima is among the smallest bees in North America (~2mm), while P. distropica likely overlaps in size range. Distinguishing features require examination of male genitalia and facial markings.
- Other Perdita speciesThe Perdita contains over 800 in North America, many morphologically similar. Species-level identification typically requires examination of microscopic characters including male genitalia, facial foveae in females, and subtle coloration patterns on the and legs.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Primary Type List | Entomology Research Museum
- You, Too, Can Plant a Pollinator Garden | Bug Squad
- 'Am I Even a Bee?' Identity Crisis Unfolds in This Charming Book | Bug Squad
- Researchers Develop Genome Map for Mojave Poppy Bee
- Bug Eric: World Bee Day....A Little "Bee"hind
- The best species name ever! | Beetles In The Bush