The genus Tetrapedia contains approximately 13 species of small apid bees occurring in the Neotropics (from Mexico to Argentina), and they are unusual in possessing adaptations for carrying floral oils rather than (or in addition to) pollen or nectar. The floral oils are typically gathered from plants of the family Malpighiaceae, though other plants may be visited. They also gather plant resins for use in nest cell construction, sometimes mixed with sand.
They are small bees (8âÂÂ13 mm), generally black in color, though they may have yellow faces.
Species
The following species are in the genus Tetrapedia:
- Tetrapedia albodecorata <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia alfkeni <small>Cockerell, 1914</small>
- Tetrapedia amplitarsis <small>Friese, 1899</small>
- Tetrapedia atripes <small>Smith, 1854</small>
- Tetrapedia basalis <small>Smith, 1879</small>
- Tetrapedia bipartita <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia clypeata <small>Friese, 1899</small>
- Tetrapedia curvitarsis <small>Friese, 1899</small>
- Tetrapedia diversipes <small>Klug, 1810</small>
- Tetrapedia garofaloi <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia helvola <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia hemileuca <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia hypoleuca <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia imitatrix <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia longipes <small>Vachal, 1909</small>
- Tetrapedia maura <small>Cresson, 1879</small>
- Tetrapedia melampoda <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia nigropilosa <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia ornata <small>(Spinola, 1853)</small>
- Tetrapedia peckoltii <small>Friese, 1899</small>
- Tetrapedia pulchella <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia pyramidalis <small>Friese, 1899</small>
- Tetrapedua rugulosa <small>Friese, 1899</small>
- Tetrapedia rutilipes <small>Vachal, 1909</small>
- Tetrapedia spanosticta <small>Moure, 1999</small>
- Tetrapedia xanthorrhina <small>Moure, 1999</small>
References