Anthophora

Anthophora
Anthophora sp.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Superfamily:	Apoidea
Family:	Apidae
Subfamily:	Apinae
Genus:	Anthophora Latreille, 1803
Subgenera
see text

Gregarious nesting site of Anthophora senescens in a vertical clay cliff of a seasonal water course, Wadi Elot, Israel. Each burrow is an independent nest of one solitary female. On the right hand side, a female guards at the nest entrance.

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 African 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:

• Anthophora curta
• Anthophora dispar
• Anthophora edwardsii
• Anthophora urbana
• Anthophora furcata
• Anthophora plumipes

References

• C. D. Michener (2000) The Bees of the World, Johns Hopkins University Press.

External links

• Anthophora Identification Guide
• List of Species
• Worldwide Species Map
• Anthophora abrupta Say on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site

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