Editing Centris

{{Short description|Genus of bees}}
{{About|the [[bee]] genus|the computer|Macintosh Centris}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = ''Centris''
| image = Centris nitida f.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Centris nitida]]''
| taxon = Centris
| diversity_link = #Selected species
| diversity = > 110 species in 12 subgenera
}}

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.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Martins|first1=Aline C.|last2=Melo|first2=Gabriel A. R.|last3=Renner|first3=Susanne S.|title=The corbiculate bees arose from New World oil-collecting bees: Implications for the origin of pollen baskets|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=80|year=2014|pages=88–94|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2014.07.003|pmid=25034728|bibcode=2014MolPE..80...88M }}</ref>

They are large (up to 3&nbsp;cm), fast-flying bees, distinguished from the closely related genus ''[[Epicharis (genus)|Epicharis]]'' by the absence of long, whip-like [[seta]]e 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 cockerelli]]''
* ''[[Centris errans]]''
* ''[[Centris pallida]]''
* ''[[Centris tarsata]]''

==See also==
* [[List of Centris species]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Centris  Centris  Identification Guide]
*[http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Centris  List of Species]
*[http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20m?kind=Centris_ Worldwide Species Map]

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[[Category:Apinae]]
[[Category:Bee genera]]


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