Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Andrenidae
- Subfamily: Panurginae
- Genus: Calliopsis Cresson, 1878
- Species: Calliopsis barbata (Cresson, 1878)
Common Name
No widely recognized common name; generally referred to as a species of Calliopsis bee.
Description
Calliopsis barbata is a small to medium‑sized bee belonging to the family Andrenidae. Members of the genus Calliopsis are typically characterized by a slender body, relatively short tongue, and a covering of fine hairs. Specific morphological details for C. barbata (e.g., coloration patterns, measurements) are documented in taxonomic keys but are not extensively described in the publicly available literature.
Distribution
The species has been recorded in North America, primarily within the United States. Historical collection records indicate occurrences in the southwestern region, including states such as Texas and Arizona. Precise range limits are not thoroughly mapped.
Habitat and Ecology
- Nesting: Like other Calliopsis species, C. barbata is presumed to be a solitary, ground‑nesting bee that excavates nests in bare or sparsely vegetated soils.
- Foraging: Species in this genus are generally polylectic or oligolectic, visiting a variety of flowering plants for pollen and nectar. Specific floral preferences of C. barbata have not been definitively documented.
- Phenology: Adult activity is typically observed during the warmer months of the year, coinciding with the blooming periods of local flora.
Conservation Status
There is no formal conservation assessment (e.g., IUCN Red List) for Calliopsis barbata. Its population trends and potential threats have not been systematically evaluated.
Research Notes
- The species was first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878.
- Specimens are held in several entomological collections, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and regional university museums.
- Further studies are needed to clarify its detailed morphological characteristics, precise distribution, floral associations, and ecological role.
References
- Cresson, E. T. (1878). "Descriptions of new species of North American bees." Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 30, 1‑12.
- Ascher, J.S., & Pickering, J. (2023). "Discover Life bee species guide and world checklist (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila)." Discover Life.
- Michener, C. D. (2007). The Bees of the World (2nd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
Note: Information presented reflects currently available scientific literature and collection data. Where specific details are lacking, the entry indicates the limitation rather than conjecture.
