• Family: Megachilidae
• Approximate # species in region: 1
• Common name: woodborer bees

The exotic Lithurgus is the bane of wooden structures, which entire aggregations of this bee tunnel into to construct nests. After its initial accidental introduction in northwestern New Jersey, L. chrysurus has begun to spread in the mid-Atlantic and is now locally common on roadsides, abandoned lots, and other disturbed areas in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (and possibly other neighboring states) where its knapweed (Centaurea) hosts grow. Lithurgus is built much like a robust Megachile. Females’ combination of dense white cheek hairs and golden hairs on the tip of the abdomen aren’t found in any other similar megachilid in our region. Males are similarly distinctive, as they are covered entirely in orangeish hairs.

Regional Species List: