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

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