Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Xylocopinae
Tribe: Ceratinini
Genus: Ceratina Latreille, 1802
Subgenus: Rhysoceratina Michener, 2000
Common name: small carpenter bees
Ceratina (Rhysoceratina) are small bees that have black integument with weak metallic green or blue reflections with or without yellow maculations on the face, pronotal lobes, and legs (Michener 2007). Their body length varies from 4.8–8.5 mm (Roig-Alsina 2016).
(modified from Michener 2007; Roig-Alsina 2016)
Ceratina (Rhysoceratina) may be confused with species of Ceratina (Zadontomerus) by their similar size and shape, but they can be distinguished by their strongly punctate body and absence of the two smooth convexities on the frons that are found in C. (Zadontomerus). Additionally, C. (Rhysoceratina) is the only Ceratina subgenus that has a strong carina delimiting the dorsal surface of T6 (Michener 2007).
Ceratina (Rhysoceratina) are known to visit multiple genera of plants in several families including: Echinopsis (Cactaceae), Oxalis (Oxalidaceae), Senecio (Asteraceae), and Baccharis (Asteraceae) (Schlumpberger et al. 2009; Roig-Alsina 2016).
The nesting biology of Ceratina (Rhysoceratina) is not well known. There is only one study that describes the nesting biology of Ceratina volitans Schrottky in southern Brazil. According to Sakagami and Laroca (1971), nests of this species were found on dead branches of composite plants at a height of around 50 cm from the ground with an entrance 2.5–3 mm in diameter and a burrow 17–24 cm in length.
Ceratina (Rhysoceratina) includes nine species (Roig-Alsina 2016).
There are no known invasives.
Ceratina (Rhysoceratina) is restricted to South America, with species known from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay (Roig-Alsina 2016).
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