Ceratina floridana

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ceratina floridana: //ˌsɛrəˈtiːnə flɔːrɪˈdanə//

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Summary

Ceratina floridana is a small carpenter bee, part of the cosmopolitan genus Ceratina, known for their metallic appearance and nesting behaviors in wood and stems. The species exhibits various reproductive strategies including solitary and parthenogenetic reproduction.

Physical Characteristics

Ceratina species are commonly dark, shining, and even metallic with fairly sparse body hairs and a weak scopa on the hind tibia. They often have some yellow markings, primarily on the face but sometimes elsewhere on the body.

Identification Tips

Ceratina can be confused with 'sweat bees' (family Halictidae) due to their small size and metallic coloration. They can be distinguished by their long glossa and the hindwings with a tiny jugal lobe.

Habitat

Ceratina floridana is known from a variety of habitats including areas where dead wood, stems, or pith are found for nesting.

Distribution

Best known from Florida, reported as far north as Maryland.

Diet

Ceratina are pollinators, feeding on floral nectar and pollen.

Life Cycle

Ceratina species exhibit both solitary and some subsocial behavior, where some females care for the larvae while others form small, weakly eusocial colonies.

Reproduction

Some species of Ceratina are parthenogenetic, meaning they can reproduce without males. In general, they can exhibit solitary nesting or communal nesting behaviors.

Ecosystem Role

Ceratina play an important role in pollination of flowers as they forage for nectar and pollen.

Collecting Methods

  • Netting adult bees
  • Collecting nesting materials from dead wood

Preservation Methods

  • Pinning
  • Alcohol preservation

Evolution

Ceratina is the only lineage of the tribe Ceratinini, and there are over 300 species within the genus, indicating significant evolutionary diversity.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Ceratina are commonly mistaken for sweat bees due to size and appearance, but they belong to a different family and exhibit distinct behaviors.

Tags

  • Ceratina
  • bees
  • pollinators
  • Hymenoptera