Xeralictus timberlakei

Cockerell, 1927

Timberlake's Blazingstar-Shortface

Xeralictus timberlakei is a of sweat bee in the Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1927. It is one of at least two species in the Xeralictus, which are rare bees associated with floral mimicry systems in southwestern North America. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its remain poorly documented compared to its X. bicuspidariae.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Xeralictus timberlakei: //zɛrəˈlɪktəs ˌtɪmbərˈleɪkiː//

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Identification

Xeralictus timberlakei belongs to a small of halictid bees characterized by their association with Mentzelia and Mohavea flowers. The genus can be distinguished from other Halictidae by its specialized relationship with these floral mimicry systems. Males are known to patrol flowers seeking females, which are smaller and have distinctive abdominal coloration. Specific diagnostic features distinguishing X. timberlakei from X. bicuspidariae are not well documented in available sources; the two appear to be separated geographically by the Colorado River.

Habitat

Associated with desert in southwestern North America where plants Mentzelia and Mohavea occur. These plants typically grow in dry, sandy or rocky soils in desert washes and slopes.

Distribution

North America; specifically recorded from the western side of the Colorado River (in contrast to X. bicuspidariae, which occurs on the eastern side).

Host Associations

Mentzelia involucrata - pollen sourceFemales collect pollen from this plant; males patrol these flowers seeking females
Mohavea confertiflora - pollen mimicry targetMales are deceived by this Batesian mimic into visiting flowers that lack pollen, facilitating pollination through mistaken mate-seeking

Behavior

Males exhibit patrolling , flying past Mentzelia flowers to detect females. When a female buries her in a flower to collect pollen, leaving her exposed, males pounce and attempt to mate. This behavior makes males susceptible to deception by Mohavea confertiflora flowers, which possess a dark central marking resembling a female abdomen.

Ecological Role

of Mentzelia involucrata. The is also exploited by the floral mimic Mohavea confertiflora, which achieves pollination without providing pollen or nectar rewards.

Similar Taxa

Xeralictus bicuspidariaeCongeneric with similar and , distinguished primarily by geographic separation: X. bicuspidariae occurs east of the Colorado River, while X. timberlakei occurs west of it.
Other HalictidaeXeralictus are distinguished by their specialized association with Mentzelia-Mohavea floral mimicry systems, a relationship not documented in other sweat bees.

More Details

Floral mimicry system

Xeralictus timberlakei participates in a classic Batesian floral mimicry system involving Mentzelia involucrata (the model, providing pollen) and Mohavea confertiflora (the mimic, providing no reward). The mimic's dark central marking precisely matches the size and color of a female Xeralictus , exploiting male mate-searching for pollination.

Taxonomic history

The was described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1927, a prolific entomologist who described numerous species. The specific epithet honors P.H. Timberlake, another significant contributor to North American bee whose name appears in several related .