Tag: genus
-
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…
-
Anthophora
Anthophora are zippy, fast-flying bees. 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. All species are chunky and hairy and superficially resemble bumble bees, but note the brushes…
-
Bombus
Few other bees are as well-known and as beloved as bumble bees. These hairy, rotund bees are represented by nearly 60 species in the US, about 20 of which can be found in our region. Bumble bees form annual, social colonies which begins each spring with a queen and grows throughout the summer with help…
-
Coelioxys
Coelioxys is a genus of cleptoparasites of Megachile, easily identified by the spines on the rear end of the thorax and the abdomen that tapers to a point (in females) or is tipped with spines (in males). Coelioxys females use their pointed abdomen to slit open the brood cells of their host so that they…
-
Stelis
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: Species…
-
Anthidium
Anthidium love gardens. They are strongly-marked yellow and black bees, exotic to North America, having been introduced in the mid 20th century. This group nests above ground either in plant stems or cavities in trees, walls, or even buildings. Named for their habit of lining nests with cottony plant fibers that females scrape or “card”…
-
Megachile
Megachile is a widespread and highly diverse genera of bees. They range in size from 0.25x to 1.5x the size of a honey bee. Megachile females transport pollen beneath their abdomens (often holding up their abdomens while foraging). They are united by their varied nesting strategies. Females build linear nests that they line with natural…
-
Colletes
Colletes are small to medium-sized bees with strong abdominal banding are more often found as singletons on flowers than other genera. They are named for the thin cellophane-like lining that they use to line brood cells. All Colletes nest in the ground. Some species are common and field identifiable, whereas others are rare and poorly…
-
Agapostemon
Agapostemon is a group of stocky, metallic-green bees. With a bit of practice, you can identify females of all four species that occur in eastern North America in the field. This group is widespread and found in a variety of habitats, including backyards and gardens. They often land on flowers with their wings up, but…