Tag: sand
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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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Eight-spotted fairy bee (Perdita octomaculata)
Andrenidae > Perdita > Perdita octomaculata Eight-spotted fairy bee (Perdita octomaculata) is a habitat specialist, found in seas of sand and asters. Search for this tiny, distinctive bee near deep sand like coastal dunes or inland sand quarries where you will find males and females on goldenrods and asters. This species is by far the…
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Blueberry digger bee (Habropoda laboriosa)
Apidae > Habropoda > Habropoda laboriosa The blueberry digger bee (Habropoda laboriosa) is a common and economically-significant visitor to blueberry throughout the southeast. While its primary natural habitat of pine barrens is threatened by development and fire suppression, H. laboriosa appears to be flexible in its habitat preferences and frequently occurs in suburban and semi-urban…
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Bradley’s mining bee (Andrena bradleyi)
Andrenidae > Andrena > Andrena bradleyi Bradley’s mining bee (Andrena bradleyi) is a diminutive bee of ericaceous shrublands, pine barrens, and blueberry fields. This common, spring-active species has a conspicuously long face which is useful for accessing nectar from the deep goblet-shaped flowers of their host plants. Phenology One generation per year, active from late-March…
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Aster mining bee (Andrena asteris)
Andrenidae > Andrena > Andrena asteris Look for aster mining bee (Andrena asteris) in fall when the temperatures begin to drop and roadsides become ablaze with goldenrods and asters. The species is common throughout New England and can be found in a wide range of habitats from gardens to meadows to old fields to coastal…
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Rufous-backed cellophane bee (Colletes thoracicus)
Colletidae > Colletes > Colletes thoracicus Rufous-chested cellophane bee (Colletes thoracicus) is the latest of the three spring-flying spring Colletes. This is a “suburban” bee of mid-Atlantic and southern New England states, often occurring in lawns, backyards, and parks. C. thoracicus nests in well-draining soils and is known to associate in massive nesting aggregations that…
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Unequal cellophane bee (Colletes inaequalis)
Colletidae > Colletes > Colletes inaequalis Unequal cellophane bee (Colletes inaequalis) carries spring on its wings. It is one of the earliest species active in the year, and can even be found when snow is still on the ground. This is a “suburban” bee, typically nesting in sunny lawns, cemeteries, and well trafficked park paths…