Pseudoanthidium

  • Family: Megachilidae
  • Approximate # species in region: 1
  • Common name: small wool-carder bees

Pseudoanthidium are tiny, compact anthidiines, with only a single exotic member of the genus found eastern North America. P. nanum is distinctively marked in black and whitish-yellow, with bright orange legs. This Eurasian species was first spotted in New Jersey in 2008 and has since spread throughout the region. Pseudoanthidium are particularly fond of urban areas where knapweeds (Centaurea) abound. They build nests above ground and line them with soft plant fibers.

Regional Species List:

Scientific NameCommon NamePhenologyForage
Pseudoanthidium nanumEuropean small-woolcarder beeJun-SepAsteraceae: Centaurea, Achillea, etc.