Centris caesalpiniae

As a member of Centridini, C. caesalpiniae possesses specialized morphological adaptations for oil collection, including dense scopal hairs on the hind legs for transporting floral oils. Males and females have been photographed on flowers, with females showing the characteristic oil-collecting behavior. Identification to species level requires examination of specific morphological characters and comparison with related Centris species, particularly those occurring sympatrically in desert environments.

Found in warm desert environments, particularly the Chihuahuan Desert. Documented visiting flowers of Krameria and Acacia species. The habitat is characterized by periodic drought conditions, with bee populations surviving through dormancy during unfavorable periods.

North America and Central America. Specifically recorded from the Chihuahuan Desert region along the United States-Mexico border, with confirmed presence in desert areas of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.

Spring-active, with adult emergence timed to coincide with flowering of host plants such as Krameria. Activity period spans approximately 2-4 weeks during the spring blooming season in desert environments.

Specialized collector of floral oils from oil-producing plants, particularly Krameria species. The oils are mixed with pollen to feed larvae. Adults may also consume pollen directly. Unlike most bees, this species does not primarily collect nectar.

• Krameria - pollinatorFemale bees collect fatty oils from elaiophores on the flowers; the plant is dependent upon Centris bees for pollination
• Acacia - pollinatorDocumented visiting flowers, likely for pollen and possibly nectar

Like other Centridini, the species likely has a life cycle adapted to desert conditions, with immature stages entering dormancy during drought periods. Eggs are provisioned with a mixture of pollen and floral oils. Developmental timing is synchronized with spring flowering periods.

Females exhibit distinctive buzzing behavior while moving between flowers at ground level, making them detectable by sound even when difficult to see. The species is solitary, with females constructing individual nests. Males have been observed patrolling flowers.

Important pollinator of oil-producing desert plants, particularly Krameria species, with which it has a specialized but not exclusive mutualistic relationship. Contributes to the high bee biodiversity documented in the Chihuahuan Desert region.

Contributes to ecosystem services through pollination of native desert flora. May serve as a useful indicator species for assessing bee biodiversity in pristine desert habitats, providing baseline data for understanding human impacts on native bee communities.

• Centris lanosaAlso collects oils from Krameria flowers; occurs in similar desert habitats and may be confused without careful examination
• Other Centris speciesMany Centris species share oil-collecting habits and desert distributions; species-level identification requires detailed morphological analysis

• oil-collecting bee
• desert bee
• spring-active
• pollinator
• Krameria specialist
• Chihuahuan Desert

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Journal of Hymenoptera Research | Blog - Part 3
• Friday flower – Krameria lanceolata | Beetles In The Bush