Centris atripes

Mocsáry, 1899

Black-legged Oil-Digger

Centris atripes is a of oil-collecting in the Apidae, commonly known as the Black-legged Oil-Digger. It occurs in Central America and North America. Like other Centris species, it has been observed collecting floral oils rather than nectar from certain plants. It is a documented of Krameria erecta and Senna wislizeni var. painteri, with activity on the latter occurring during the rainy season.

Cetntris attripes, face, m, Fayette Co, TX 2017-09-22-15.59 (39376669062) 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.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Centris atripes: /ˈkɛn.trɪs ˈæ.trɪˌpiːz/

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

Identification

The 'Black-legged Oil-Digger' suggests dark coloration on the legs, which may aid in field recognition. Specific diagnostic features distinguishing C. atripes from other Centris are not documented in available sources. As with other Centris bees, oil-collecting and association with Krameria or Senna flowers may provide contextual identification cues.

Images

Habitat

Found in regions supporting its plants, including dry slopes and sand shinnery oak shrubland in Oklahoma. Associated with where Krameria and Senna occur.

Distribution

Central America and North America. GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.

Seasonality

Active during the rainy season when pollinating Senna wislizeni var. painteri.

Diet

Collects fatty oils from floral elaiophores rather than nectar. Documented collecting oils from Krameria erecta and Senna wislizeni var. painteri. Oils are mixed with pollen to provision larvae.

Host Associations

Krameria erecta - of this Krameria
Senna wislizeni var. painteri - Pollinates during the rainy season

Behavior

Female bees collect floral oils from modified petal structures (elaiophores) of plants. Oil collection involves scraping oils from external surfaces of the elaiophores, during which pollination occurs. The distinctive buzzing sound during foraging has been noted in related Centris .

Ecological Role

of Krameria and Senna . The relationship with Krameria is obligate for the plant but not for the —Krameria species depend entirely on Centris bees for pollination, while Centris bees utilize multiple oil-producing plants.

Similar Taxa

Centris lanosaCollected from the same Krameria flowers in Oklahoma; identification to requires expert examination

More Details

Oil-collecting specialization

Centris atripes belongs to a group of bees that have evolved to collect fatty oils instead of nectar. This unusual foraging strategy involves specialized morphological adaptations for oil collection and use.