Eye-Colour in Bees

Abstract

EVERY biologist is now familiar with the colour-variation in the eyes of Drosophila, and the remarkable contributions to biological theory which this variation has made possible. It is not so well known that among the Anthophorid bees there are striking differences in eye-colcur, which must have arisen in a manner analogous to those of Drosophila. These differences usually characterise species; thus in th genus Centris one form has the eyes crimson, another green, another grey. In Anthophora two closely related species from New Mexico differ, one having the eyes green, while in the other they are dark purplish. There are other differences, and the species are quite distinct. I have just obtained evidence of mutation in eye-colour within the species Anthophora porterae, Ckll., is a large species with clear green (olive-green or pea-green) eyes. The varieties Watsoni and semiflava agree with the typical form of the species in this respect. However, on May 23 of this year, at White Rocks, near Boulder, Colorado, Miss Marie Chandler found a male with the eyes dark bluish-green (sea-green). This may be called mut. Thalassina. On drying, after death, the eyes became grey marbled with black.