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.
Ptiloglossa consists of generally large, hairy species which are temporally-specialized crepuscular pollinators.[1] 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.
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