• Family: Melittidae
• Approximate # species in region: 3
• Common name: blunthorn bees

Our three Melitta are medium-sized, somewhat generic-looking bees that are rare in most contexts. All of the species in our region are pollen specialists on certain ericaceous plants and usually are not found far from their hosts. Melitta are ground-nesters, but specific details on the ecology and nesting habits of North American members of this genus are extremely scarce.

Melitta have a general appearance not unlike other medium-sized, striped bees, such as Andrena and Colletes. Female Melitta have parallel eyes (unlike Colletes), but lack the prominent facial foveae of female Andrena. Females also carry pollen in moist pellets on their hind legs, unlike the dry pollen carried by Andrena and Colletes. Male Melitta have stiff, outwardly-curved antennae that are quite reminiscent of Colletes, but, like females, they too have parallel eyes.

Regional Species List: