Cemolobus
Robertson, 1902
cemolobus bees
Species Guides
1Cemolobus is a subgenus of long-horned bees in the Apidae, tribe Eucerini. It was historically treated as a but is now classified as a subgenus of Eucera (or Xenoglossa in some sources). The single described , Cemolobus ipomoeae, is an oligolectic of morning glories (Ipomoea).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cemolobus: //sɛˈmoʊ.loʊ.bəs//
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Identification
Long-horned bees (Eucerini) characterized by elongated , particularly in males. As a subgenus, Cemolobus is distinguished by subtle morphological traits from other Eucera subgenera; precise diagnostic features require examination. The included C. ipomoeae can be identified by its association with Ipomoea plants and geographic distribution.
Distribution
Eastern and central United States, with historical concentration in New England and the Upper Midwest. Range has expanded westward and southward with recent records from Colorado and Mississippi (Bolivar County, 2017).
Ecological Role
pollination of Ipomoea (morning glories); oligolectic relationship with plants in the Ipomoea.
Similar Taxa
- Eucera (other subgenera)Cemolobus was historically treated as a separate but is now subsumed within Eucera; morphological boundaries between subgenera are subtle and require taxonomic expertise to distinguish.
- XenoglossaSome sources classify Cemolobus ipomoeae as Xenoglossa (Cemolobus) ipomoeae, reflecting taxonomic uncertainty and historical confusion between these .
More Details
Taxonomic instability
The classification of Cemolobus has shifted repeatedly: treated as a by Robertson (1902), later included in Eucera, and in some contemporary sources placed as a subgenus of Xenoglossa. This reflects ongoing revision of the Eucerini tribe.
Conservation significance
The 2017 Mississippi record represents a substantial southwestern range expansion and suggests the may be more widespread than historically recognized, or that its range is actively expanding.