Tag: legumes
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Anthidiellum
Anthidiellum are tiny, compact anthidiines that are associated with dry, sandy habitats. Bees in this genus build nests out of tree resin. In the northeast, Anthidiellum nests are resinous jug-like structures that hang from vegetation, each of which contains a single developing offspring. Anthidiellum can be locally abundant, especially when host plants are abundant, and…
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Oblong woolcarder bee (Anthidium oblongatum)
Megachilidae > Anthidium > Anthidium oblongatum Oblong woolcarder bee (Anthidium oblongatum) thrives in human-disturbed landscapes like roadsides, backyards, and the margins of agricultural fields. This exotic anthidiine has a strong preference for exotic legumes like birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and crownvetch (Securigera varia). This bee is distinctive with a squat build, green eyes, orange tegulae,…
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Northern rotund-resin bee (Anthidiellum notatum)
Megachilidae > Anthidiellum > Anthidiellum notatum Dry, dusty fields with weedy legumes offer a good chance of finding northern rotund resin bees (Anthidiellum notatum). Although scarce throughout the region, this tiny black-and-yellow anthiidine can be locally abundant, provided suitable legumes are in flower (exotic weedy legumes are perfectly acceptable). This distinctive bee is unlikely to…
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Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis)
Apidae > Bombus > Bombus borealis Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis) is aptly named: this is a bee of northern latitudes with dark gold hair all over its body. This long-tongue species occupies open lands near forests, and seems to be increasingly widespread in recent years. We find them mainly on legumes with deep…
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Campus bee (Calliopsis andreniformis)
Andrenidae > Calliopsis > Calliopsis andreniformis Campus bee (Calliopsis andreniformis) may be found nesting gregariously in early summer in well-drained, high-traffic sites like playgrounds, dirt paths, sand mines, and ball fields. Both males and females are highly distinctive and can be identified in the field through binoculars. Look for females foraging on weedy legumes like clovers.…
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Confusing furrow bee (Halictus confusus)
Halictidae > Halictus > Halictus confusus Confusing furrow bee (Halictus confusus) is distinctive among backyard Halictus for its dark metallic coloration. H. confusus frequents a variety of habitats, including gardens. As such, H. confusus can easily be confused with other garden bees. More often than not, the confusing lookalikes are actually metallic Lasioglossum, not other…