Ceratina cobaltina

Cresson, 1878

Cobalt Small Carpenter, cobalt ceratina

Ceratina cobaltina is a of small carpenter bee in the Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1878. It is native to Central America and belongs to the Ceratina, which comprises small, often metallic bees that nest in pithy or hollow plant stems. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary that contributes to pollination services in its native range.

Ceratina cobaltina by (c) Victor Engel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Victor Engel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ceratina cobaltina: /ˌsɛrəˈtaɪnə koʊˈbæltɪnə/

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Distribution

Central America; recorded as present in Middle America and the conterminous 48 United States (US).

Ecological Role

As a member of the Ceratina, contributes to crop pollination and wild plant pollination. Studies on related Ceratina indicate patch-size preference for foraging varies by flower identity, with some species visiting isolated flowers more often when competing with larger social bees like Bombus.

More Details

Taxonomic note

Described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878. The specific epithet 'cobaltina' likely refers to a metallic blue or cobalt coloration, common in the Ceratina.