Paranthidium

  • Family: Megachilidae
  • Tribe: Anthidiini
  • Approximate # species in region: 1
  • Common name: burrowing resin bees

Tiny, compact anthidiines, with only a single member of the genus in eastern North America. Distinctively marked black and yellow on face, thorax, and abdomen. They are ground-nesting, either digging their own tunnels or co-opting the abandoned tunnels of other bees, and they line their nests with plant resins and occasionally pebbles. Strong preference for medium-sized yellow composites like Helianthus and Heliopsis.

Species covered:

Scientific NameCommon NamePhenologyHabitatForage
Paranthidium jugatoriumSunflower burrowing-resin beeSummerForest edges, gardensAsteraceae, esp. Helianthus

Species requiring accounts: none