Ptiloglossa is a small genus of bees within the family Colletidae, endemic to the Americas. Ptiloglossa is one of the most common nocturnal groups of colletids.

Distribution

The species of Ptiloglossa are most diverse (over 50 species) in South America and Central America. Three species, Ptiloglossa arizonensis, P. jonesi, and P. mexicana, occur in the Southwestern United States.

Description

Ptiloglossa consists of generally large, hairy species which are temporally-specialized crepuscular pollinators. They have greatly enlarged ocelli to assist them in flying under very low light levels.

Life History

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. Like most colletids, 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.

Species

These 55 species belong to the genus Ptiloglossa: Data sources: i = ITIS, c = Catalogue of Life, g = GBIF, b = Bugguide.net