Ptiloglossa
| Ptiloglossa | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Suborder: | Apocrita |
| Superfamily: | Apoidea |
| Family: | Colletidae |
| Subfamily: | Diphaglossinae |
| Genus: | Ptiloglossa Smith, 1853 |
Ptiloglossa is a small genus within the bee family Colletidae, that is endemic to the Americas.
The genus of bees is within the Caupolicanini Tribe of the Diphaglossinae Subfamily, within the Colletidae Family of the Apoidea Superfamily, within the Hymenoptera Order.
Distribution
The species of Ptiloglossa are most diverse (30 or more species) in South America and the Central America region of North America.
At least one species, Ptiloglossa arizonensis, occurs in the Southwestern United States.
Description
Ptiloglossa consists of generally large, hairy species which are temporally-specialized crepuscular pollinators. They are active only at: sundown (vespertine); or more typically at pre-dawn (matinal). They often utilize a pollen-extraction behavior known as buzz pollination.
They have greatly enlarged ocelli to assist them in flying under very low light levels.
- Reproduction
Like most colletids (Colletidae), these bees have liquid larval provisions sealed inside a membranous, cellophane-like cell lining, and it is believed that yeasts in the liquid may act as the primary protein source.
See also
- Bees−related topics
- Colletidae genera and species
- Hymenoptera of North America
- Hymenoptera of South America