The genus ''Centris'' contains circa 250 species of large Apidae, apid bees occurring in the Neotropical realm, Neotropical and Nearctic realm, Nearctic realms, from Kansas to Argentina. Most females of these bees possess adaptations for carrying floral oils rather than (or in addition to) pollen or nectar. They mainly visit plants of the family Malpighiaceae to collect oil, but also visit others such as Plantaginaceae, Calceolariaceae, and Krameriaceae. Recent studies have shown they are Sister group, sister to the Pollen basket, corbiculate bees, the most well-known and economically important group of bees
They are large (up to 3 cm), fast-flying bees, distinguished from the closely related genus ''Epicharis (genus), Epicharis'' by the absence of long, whip-like setae that project backwards from just behind the eyes. They are commonly encountered bees in American deserts, and are active at very high ambient temperatures when many other species are in hiding. They can often be seen in large numbers on desert-willow (''Chilopsis'') and Parkinsonia, palo verde (''Parkinsonia'') blossoms. Bees of this genus are of some economical significance in pollinating crops such as Brazil Nut (''Bertholletia excelsa'') and Cashew (''Anacardium occidentale'', pollinated by ''Centris tarsata, C. tarsata'' among others).
The mating system of one species, ''Centris pallida, C. pallida'', has been particularly well-researched by the Behavioral ecology, behavioral ecologist John Alcock (behavioral ecologist), John Alcock; the entomologist Adolpho Ducke also studied this genus.
Selected species
* ''Centris errans''
* ''Centris pallida''
* ''Centris tarsata''
See also
* List of Centris species
References
External links
Centris Identification Guide List of SpeciesWorldwide Species Map
Apinae
Bee genera
{{Apinae-stub