Anthophora
Encyclopedia
The bee
genus Anthophora is one of the largest in the family Apidae
, with over 450 species worldwide in 14 different subgenera. They are most abundant and diverse in the Holarctic
and Africa
n biogeographic regions. All species are solitary, though many nest in large aggregations. Nearly all species make nests in the soil, either in banks or in flat ground; the larvae develop in cells with waterproof linings and do not spin cocoons. Males commonly have pale white or yellow facial markings, and/or peculiarly modified leg armature and hairs. Anthophora individuals can be distinguished from the very similar genus Amegilla
by the possession of an arolium between the tarsal
claws.
Species include:
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
genus Anthophora is one of the largest in the family Apidae
Apidae
The Apidae are a large family of bees, comprising the common honey bees, stingless bees , carpenter bees, orchid bees, cuckoo bees, bumblebees, and various other less well-known groups...
, with over 450 species worldwide in 14 different subgenera. They are most abundant and diverse in the Holarctic
Holarctic
The Holarctic ecozone refers to the habitats found throughout the northern continents of the world as a whole. This region is divided into the Palearctic, consisting of Northern Africa and all of Eurasia, with the exception of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, and the Nearctic,...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n biogeographic regions. All species are solitary, though many nest in large aggregations. Nearly all species make nests in the soil, either in banks or in flat ground; the larvae develop in cells with waterproof linings and do not spin cocoons. Males commonly have pale white or yellow facial markings, and/or peculiarly modified leg armature and hairs. Anthophora individuals can be distinguished from the very similar genus Amegilla
Amegilla
Amegilla is a genus of bees in the tribe Anthophorini. A few species have blue metallic bands on the abdomen, and are referred to as "Blue banded bees"....
by the possession of an arolium between the tarsal
Arthropod leg
The arthropod leg is a form of jointed appendage of arthropods, usually used for walking. Many of the terms used for arthropod leg segments are of Latin origin, and may be confused with terms for bones: coxa , trochanter , femur, tibia, tarsus, ischium, metatarsus, carpus, dactylus ,...
claws.
Species include:
- Anthophora curta
- Anthophora edwardsii
- Anthophora urbana
- Anthophora furcata
- Anthophora plumipesAnthophora plumipesAnthophora plumipes is a species of bees belonging to the family Apidae subfamily Apinae tribus Anthophorini.They are present in most of Europe, in the Near East and in North Africa....