Tag: summer
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Megachile
Megachile is a widespread and highly diverse genus of bees. They range in size from about one-quarter the size of a honey bee, to nearly twice as large. 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…
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Hylaeus
Hylaeus are tiny colletid bees that are more wasp-like than bee-like. Their common name (“masked bees”) reflects the strong yellow and white markings often present on their faces – the shape and arrangement of these markings is often helpful for identification. All species nest above ground in cavities and, like all colletids, they line their…
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Orange-tipped wood-digger bee (Anthophora terminalis)
Apidae > Anthophora > Anthophora terminalis Orange-tipped wood-digger bee (Anthophora terminalis) is a distinctive, fast-flying solitary bee of backyards and gardens. From a distance, it resembles a bumble bee worker, but is smaller and grayer, and frequently hovers in front of tubular flowers. Its namesake orange-tipped abdomen can be hard to get a good look…
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Thistle longhorn bee (Melissodes desponsus)
Apidae > Melissodes > Melissodes desponsus Eastern thistle longhorn bee (Melissodes desponsus) can be found buried deep in the frills of a thistle. This late-summer longhorn bee is always found close to its thistle (Cirsium spp.) host plants. Females are large and robust, with a pale thorax and all-black abdomen, but don’t be fooled into…
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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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Wilke’s mining bee (Andrena wilkella)
Andrenidae > Andrena > Andrena wilkella Wilke’s mining bee (Andrena wilkella) is a summer bee of lawns and farm fields. You typically find males and females foraging on clovers and vetches. A. wilkella is notable because it is active at a time of year when relatively few other Andrena are flying. It is also unusual…