- Family: Megachilidae
- Tribe: Anthidiini
- Approximate # species in region: 5
- Common names: dark bees
Stelis is a genus of megachilid cleptoparasites. They are stocky but elongate, evenly wide down the length of their bodies, and often with relatively sparse hairs. As cleptoparasites, females do not have pollen carrying hairs on their bodies. With the exception of one relatively widespread species, Stelis are generally not often encountered.
Species covered:
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Phenology | Habitat | Forage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stelis louisae | Louisana painted-dark bee | Summer | Widespread, tied to host | Generalist, esp. Asteraceae |
Species requiring accounts:
- at present, remaining species are difficult to separate in the field