Centris


 * This page is about the bee genus. For the computer, see Macintosh Centris

The genus Centris contains over 110 species of large apid bees occurring from Kansas to Argentina). A number of these bees possess adaptations for carrying floral oils rather than (or in addition to) pollen or nectar.

They are large (up to 3 cm), fast-flying bees, distinguished from the closely-related 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 palo verde blossoms.

The mating system of one species, Centris pallida, has been particularly well-studied by the behavioral ecologist John Alcock.