Centris cockerelli
Fox, 1899
Cockerell's Oil-Digger
Centris cockerelli is a of - in the , described by Fox in 1899. As a member of the tribe Centridini, it is one of the bees specialized in collecting floral oils rather than nectar. The species occurs in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Centris cockerelli: //ˈsɛntrɪs kɒkəˈrɛli//
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Distribution
Central America and North America.
Diet
Female of the Centris are known to collect fatty from specialized oil-producing flowers, particularly those in the genus Krameria. These oils are mixed with pollen to provision larval . However, specific dietary records for C. cockerelli have not been documented.
Ecological Role
As an - , Centris serve as for plants that offer fatty oil rewards rather than nectar. Plants in the Krameria are wholly dependent upon Centris bees for , though the relationship is not mutually exclusive as Centris bees utilize multiple oil-producing species.