Melittids are uncommon bees, not often seen in suburban or developed areas. In the northeast, melittids are ground-nesting and specialized on particular flowers. Macropis are typically found in close association with their oil-rich host plant Lysimachia spp. and nectar plants like dogbane Apocynum spp. The two most common Melitta species (which are not very common compared to the bees profiled in this guide) in the northeast have tight associations with cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon and Lyonia ligustrina.

Macropis

Melitta