Tag: genus
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Protandrena
Protandrena are small to medium-sized dark panurgines, most of which have an affinity for various asters, goldenrods, and sunflowers. Species in this genus often mate on flowers, the males holding themselves in a comically stiff position with legs tucked in, seemingly to minimize inconvenience to their mate as she forages. Protandrena can become easily recognizable…
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Melitta
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…
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Macropis
Macropis are bees that few beewatchers bump into incidentally – an encounter with this genus is usually a result of careful and targeted searching on or near their loosestrife (Lysimachia) host plants. Unlike most plants visited by bees, Lysimachia flowers contain no nectar – they instead produce oils, which Macropis diligently collect (along with pollen)…
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Lithurgus
The exotic Lithurgus is the bane of wooden structures, which entire aggregations of this bee tunnel into to construct nests. After its initial accidental introduction in northwestern New Jersey, L. chrysurus has begun to spread in the mid-Atlantic and is now locally common on roadsides, abandoned lots, and other disturbed areas in New Jersey and…
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Florilegus
Most views of Florilegus are of a grayish blur whizzing between the flowers of Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata). Our single species, F. condignus, is a summertime bee with an absolutely monstrous range that extends from the eastern United States south to Argentina. While Florilegus appears to act as a Pontederia specialist in our region, in other…
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Chelostoma
Chelostoma are small, strangely elongate megachilids the most beewatchers probably won’t encounter without specifically looking for them. All three of the species in our area (two exotic, one native) have strong associations with particular plants. Chelostoma nest above ground in small cavities. Chelostoma are slim bees, much more so than Ceratina, Heriades, or female Hoplitis…
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Hoplitis
Hoplitis are widespread and occur in a variety of habitats from late spring through early summer, although they usually are not especially abundant. Only a few species occur in our region, one of which is exotic and native to Europe. Most Hoplitis nest above ground in stems and other cavities, using their jaws to excavate…
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Dufourea
Dufourea are odd little dark bees that fly in mid-summer. Our two northeastern species are both specialists – one on Pickerelweed (Pontederia) and the other on bee balm (Monarda). While Dufourea may seem generic at a glance, upon closer examination they are rather unique: their heads are flattened and their antennal segments bulge out in…
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Perdita
Perdita are tiny sand sprites. Bees in this genus are affectionately known as “fairy bees” and they are most diverse in the desert southwest, with only a handful of species found in the northeast. Because of their tiny size, tight association with sand, and often strict host plant requirements, Perdita are rarely stumbled upon. In…
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Anthophora
Anthophora are zippy bees with a fast, hovering flight. Five species occur in our region, four of which nest in bare ground and one which nests in rotting wood. Ground-nesting species often form big nesting aggregations along exposed banks, eroded cliffs, and bare slopes. Anthophora have long tongues and often prefer foraging on tubular flowers.…