Anthophora pacifica

Cresson, 1879

Pacific Digger Bee

Anthophora pacifica is a solitary, ground-nesting to western North America. Females excavate burrows in soil to construct individual nests provisioned with pollen and nectar. The serves as the primary for the cleptoparasitic Melecta pacifica fulvida, which invades its nests to lay . A. pacifica is part of the diverse Anthophora , which includes other notable digger bees such as the -mimic A. bomboides stanfordiana.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anthophora pacifica: //ænˈθɒfərə pəˈsɪfɪkə//

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Identification

May be distinguished from similar by geographic range in western North America; specific diagnostic features require expert examination. The Melecta pacifica fulvida is associated exclusively with this , providing indirect identification evidence where the is observed.

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Habitat

Ground-nesting in soil substrates; specific preferences have been documented in Colorado including bare earth on trails and higher-elevation areas.

Distribution

Western North America; documented in Colorado and other western states. Not to be confused with the eastern Asian Anthophora villosula, which has established in the mid-Atlantic region.

Seasonality

Active during spring and summer months; timing tied to flowering and local climate conditions.

Diet

; females collect pollen and nectar from multiple flowering to provision .

Host Associations

  • Melecta pacifica fulvida - Female Melecta enters burrows and lays ; consume provisions intended for A. pacifica offspring

Life Cycle

Solitary lifecycle with : females excavate soil burrows, construct lined , provision each with pollen-nectar mass, single , and seal . develop within cells, likely in prepupal or pupal stage before the following spring.

Behavior

Females are solitary nesters, each constructing and provisioning her own burrow independently. Males may aggregate near nesting areas. The exhibits typical of excavating soil and creating individual .

Ecological Role

of wild flowering plants; serves as supporting cleptoparasitic . Ground-nesting activity contributes to soil aeration and in local .

Similar Taxa

  • Anthophora villosula Asian now established in eastern North America; distinguished by geographic separation and introduced status
  • Anthophora bomboides stanfordianaPacific coastal with distinctive sand turret nests; distinguished by specificity and nest architecture
  • Anthophora abruptaEastern North miner with similar ground-nesting ; distinguished by geographic range

More Details

Taxonomic Note

Authority sometimes cited as Cresson, 1878 or Cresson, 1879 in different sources; accepted name is Anthophora pacifica Cresson, 1879 per GBIF and Catalogue of Life.

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Sources and further reading