• Family: Apidae
• Approximate # species in region: 3
• Common name: Calliopsis cuckoo bees

If you’re not looking for Holcopasites, you might not see them. These very tiny cuckoo bees are easily overlooked, but up close are brightly colored with bold markings. In our region, you are most likely to encounter H. calliopsidis hovering above dry, hard-packed earth where its host campus bees Calliopsis andreniformis are nesting. Aside from Calliopsis, some members of this genus in our region may also parasitize small Protandrena (former Pseudopanurgus).

We doubt you’ll confuse Holcopasites with any other bees in the northeastern US – their tiny size and striking color pattern is rather unique. Also watch for their strange habit of folding their wings off to the sides (or even underneath) their abdomen when at rest.

Regional Species List: