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 (8–13 mm), generally black in color, though they may have yellow faces.
Species The following species are in the genus Tetrapedia:
Tetrapedia albodecorata Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia alfkeni Cockerell, 1914 Tetrapedia amplitarsis Friese, 1899 Tetrapedia atripes Smith, 1854 Tetrapedia basalis Smith, 1879 Tetrapedia bipartita Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia clypeata Friese, 1899 Tetrapedia curvitarsis Friese, 1899 Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, 1810 Tetrapedia garofaloi Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia helvola Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia hemileuca Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia hypoleuca Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia imitatrix Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia longipes Vachal, 1909 Tetrapedia maura Cresson, 1879 Tetrapedia melampoda Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia nigropilosa Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia ornata (Spinola, 1853) Tetrapedia peckoltii Friese, 1899 Tetrapedia pulchella Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia pyramidalis Friese, 1899 Tetrapedua rugulosa Friese, 1899 Tetrapedia rutilipes Vachal, 1909 Tetrapedia spanosticta Moure, 1999 Tetrapedia xanthorrhina Moure, 1999
References