Florilegus

Robertson, 1900

Species Guides

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Florilegus is a of solitary long-horned bees in the Apidae, tribe Eucerini, established by Robertson in 1900. The genus contains approximately 14 described distributed in the Americas. Members are oligolectic pollen , with at least one species, F. condignus, recognized as an important of alfalfa. These bees are morphologically characterized by elongated mouthparts and are distinct from the bumblebee species Bombus florilegus, which belongs to a different genus.

Florilegus (Florilegus) purpurascens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Florilegus pavoninus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Florilegus pavoninus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Florilegus: //floˈrɪlɛɡəs//

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

Identification

Florilegus are distinguished from other Eucerini by their elongated mouthparts, a trait common to the tribe. They differ from the unrelated bumblebee Bombus florilegus (found in Japan) by their solitary lifestyle, lack of corbiculae (), and New World distribution. Species-level identification requires examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters.

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Distribution

Americas; exact range varies by

Ecological Role

Pollination; Florilegus condignus is documented as an important of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Human Relevance

Agricultural pollination; Florilegus condignus contributes to alfalfa seed production

Similar Taxa

  • Bombus florilegusUnrelated bumblebee from Japan with which Florilegus shares only a homonymous specific epithet; belongs to Bombus, not Florilegus
  • Other Eucerini generaShare tribe-level characteristics including elongated mouthparts; distinguished by -specific morphological features

Misconceptions

The name 'florilegus' has been applied to both a of American long-horned bees (Florilegus) and a Japanese bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum florilegus or historically Bombus florilegus). These represent entirely different in different .

More Details

Taxonomic note

The Florilegus (Apidae: Eucerini) is unrelated to the bumblebee 'florilegus'. The latter name has been used for Bombus cryptarum florilegus, a of the cryptic bumblebee complex in Japan, and historically as Bombus florilegus. These should not be confused despite the shared epithet.

Nomenclatural history

Robertson established Florilegus in 1900. The has undergone various taxonomic revisions, with transferred in and out of related genera such as Melissodes and Svastra based on phylogenetic and morphological studies.

Sources and further reading