Centridine Bees

Centridini

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Apinae
Tribe: Centridini

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Centridini: //sɛnˈtraɪdɪˌnaɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Centris nitida 12-06-2023c by Carlos A. Padrón P.. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Centris pallida distribution map by Floyd Burney. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Centris lanosa, F, Face, FL, Torreya 2014-10-09-13.20.39 ZS PMax (15334716760) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Centris lanosa, F, Side, FL, Torreya 2014-10-09-16.09.01 ZS PMax (15334561809) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Centris lanosa, F, Back, FL, Torreya 2014-10-09-15.56.52 ZS PMax (15521074012) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Centris atripes, back, m, Fayette Co, TX 2017-09-22-15.50 (27629501479) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Centridini are a tribe of large bees known for their unique adaptations to collect floral oils and resins. They thrive in hot, arid environments and play a significant role as pollinators in American deserts, particularly in areas such as Arizona where they can be seen on blooming palo verde trees.

Physical Characteristics

Large apid bees with adaptations for carrying floral oils; possess 'combs' composed of closely spaced, flattened, blunt bristles or velvety 'pads' for oil absorption; tiny pterostigma in forewing; bushy female scopa; first flagellomere of the antenna often longer than the scape.

Identification Tips

Look for adaptation features such as the oil-collecting 'combs' or 'pads' on the legs.

Habitat

American deserts, particularly common in the southwestern United States and Florida.

Distribution

New World regions from the southwestern United States and Florida to southern South America, with a few species found in the Oriental region.

Diet

Primarily floral oils collected from plants, particularly from the family Malpighiaceae, in addition to nectar and pollen.