Small carpenter bees - the Ceratina

I saw many of these small, black Hymenoptera on many of the flowers in Winfield

The Ceratina are a variety of carpenter bee.  They are typically small and dark, both which could be used to describe the insect I photographed in the above image.  They are solitary and do not form colonies, but may sometimes be found in small groups.  They are important pollinators.  They are polyetic - a word I have never heard before - which simply means they visit flowers of many varieties.  

Yes, these little rascals can sting, but that is not their normal bee-haviour.  I have frequently been around them and have never been stung or felt threatened in any way.  I certainly can't say the same for yellow-jacket wasps.  

There are numerous interesting facts associated with the genera.  Females of some species can reproduce using parthenogenesis - reproduction without the use of a male.  That doesn't mean the males have no value.  This is simply a way to rapidly increase the population and ensure the spread of genetic material.  Males are often involved in guarding the nest leaving the females the sole duty of foraging for food.

Certina bees build nests in woody-stemed plants that have a pithy core.  Thin stems are easily hollowed out and allow the bees to make brooding chambers for their young.  You can see an example here.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com