{{Short description|Genus of bees}} {{Italic title}} {{Automatic taxobox | name = ''Perdita'' | image = Perdita luteola, female, face 2012-08-01-16.02.40 ZS PMax.jpg | image_caption = ''Perdita luteola'', female | taxon = Perdita | authority = | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = 634, see text }}

'''''Perdita''''' is a large genus of small bees native to North America, particularly diverse in the desert regions of the United States and Mexico. There are over 600 currently recognized species of ''Perdita'', plus more than 100 additional subspecies and many more species that remain undescribed.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Portman |first1=Zachary M. |last2=Griswold |first2=Terry |title=Review of ''Perdita'' subgenus ''Procockerellia'' Timberlake (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae) and the first ''Perdita'' gynandromorph |journal=ZooKeys |date=2017 |issue=712 |pages=87–111 |doi=10.3897/zookeys.712.14736|pmid=29134037 |pmc=5674208 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2017ZooK..712...87P }}</ref> ''Perdita'' are usually quite small (2.0&nbsp;mm to 10.0&nbsp;mm) and often brightly colored with metallic reflections and/or yellow or white markings, and among the few lineages of bees incapable of stinging. The genus was extensively treated by P.H. Timberlake who, in addition to T.D.A. Cockerell, described most of the known species. Most species are extreme specialists (oligoleges) with respect to pollen and will only collect pollen from a few closely related species or genera of plants. Many species in this genus are called fairy bees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bugguide.net/node/view/52624|title=Bug Guide}}</ref> They may be parasitized by ''Neolarra'' cuckoo bees, which lay eggs in their nests given the opportunity.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Emry |first1=Paige |title=Our Native Bees |page=77}}</ref>

==See also== * List of Perdita species

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== *[https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Perdita_female Perdita Identification Guide (female)] *[https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Perdita_male Perdita Identification Guide (male)] *[http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Perdita List of Species] *[http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20m?kind=Perdita_ Worldwide Species Map] *[https://bugguide.net/node/view/52624 Bugguide]

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Category:Andrenidae Category:Bee genera

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