Apidae
Guides
Nomada fervida
Fervid Nomad Bee
Nomada fervida is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species. The species was first described by Smith in 1854. As a nest parasite, it relies on host bees to provision its offspring with pollen and nectar.
Nomada gracilis
Gracile Nomad
Nomada gracilis is a cleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it does not construct nests or collect pollen, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bee species. The larvae consume the host's provisions and often kill the host larva. This species is recorded from North America, with specific observations documented from Vermont, United States.
Nomada gutierreziae
Nomada gutierreziae is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1896. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests. The species is known from Middle and North America. Like other Nomada species, females likely locate host nests using chemical cues. Males of the genus have been observed to engage in "antennal grabbing" during copulation, a behavior involving the winding of antennae around the female's antennae to transfer pheromones, though this specific behavior has not been directly documented for N. gutierreziae.
Nomada hemphilli
Nomada hemphilli is a species of nomad bee in the family Apidae. It was described by Cockerell in 1903 and is found in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasitic bee that lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species. The genus is known for males exhibiting 'antennal grabbing' behavior during copulation, where antennae are wound around the female to transfer pheromones, though this specific behavior has not been directly documented for N. hemphilli.
Nomada imbricata
Imbricate Cuckoo Nomad Bee
Nomada imbricata is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Smith in 1854. Like all Nomada species, it is a kleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species, primarily members of the genus Andrena. The species exhibits the characteristic reduced hairiness of cuckoo bees, having lost the branched body hairs used by pollen-collecting bees. Its common name "Imbricate" refers to the overlapping scale-like pattern of its integument.
Nomada luteoloides
Black-and-yellow Nomad Bee
Nomada luteoloides is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. As a kleptoparasite, it does not construct its own nest or collect pollen, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bee species. The female offspring develop by consuming the host's provisions and often the host egg or larva. The species is part of the diverse Nomada genus, which contains numerous cuckoo bee species that parasitize various ground-nesting bees, particularly in the genus Andrena.
Nomada maculata
Spotted Nomad Bee
Nomada maculata, the Spotted Nomad Bee, is a kleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it does not construct its own nest but instead lays eggs in the nests of host bee species, primarily ground-nesting bees in the genus Andrena. The species is found in North America, with documented records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a cuckoo bee, females enter host nests to deposit eggs, and the resulting larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and may destroy the host egg or larva.
Nomada mutans
Nomada mutans is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1910. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nest or provisioning offspring. The species is part of a diverse genus of over 850 described species worldwide, many of which are poorly known biologically.
Nomada obliterata
Obliterated Nomad
Nomada obliterata is a species of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is presumed to lay eggs in the nests of host bee species, though specific host associations for this particular species have not been documented. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont, USA.
Nomada placida
Placid Nomad Bee
Nomada placida is a species of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic lifestyle of nomad bees: females lay their eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing their own nests or collecting pollen. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its host associations, habitat preferences, and population status remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Nomada pygmaea
Pygmy Nomad
Nomada pygmaea is a species of kleptoparasitic 'cuckoo' bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. As a member of the genus Nomada, it lays eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nest or collecting pollen. The species is found in North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and other regions. Like other nomad bees, it exhibits the characteristic wasp-like appearance resulting from reduced hair coverage, an adaptation associated with its parasitic lifestyle.
Nomada tiftonensis
Tifton Nomad Bee
Nomada tiftonensis is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1903. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests or collecting pollen. The species is known from scattered records in the eastern and midwestern United States, including Michigan and Vermont. Like other nomad bees, it likely relies on visual and chemical cues to locate host nests.
Nomada utahensis
Utah Nomad Bee
Nomada utahensis is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Moalif in 1988. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests. The species is known from North America, with limited observational records available.
Nomada vegana
nomad bee
Nomada vegana is a species of kleptoparasitic nomad bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1903. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic cuckoo bee lifestyle of laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests or collecting pollen. The species is known from Central America and North America, with iNaturalist recording over 1,800 observations. Like other Nomada species, it likely targets nests of Andrena or related ground-nesting bees as hosts.
Nomada verecunda
Nomada verecunda is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1879. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nest or collecting pollen. The species is known from North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and conservation status remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Nomada vicina
Neighborly Nomad
Nomada vicina is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1863. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests. The species is known from North America with confirmed records from Vermont and other regions. Like other Nomada species, it likely targets nests of mining bees in the genus Andrena. The common name "Neighborly Nomad" reflects both its parasitic lifestyle and its taxonomic proximity to related species.
Nomada zebrata
Nomada zebrata is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1878. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than building its own nest or collecting pollen. The species exhibits the characteristic wasp-like appearance typical of cuckoo bees, with reduced body hair compared to pollen-collecting bees. It is native to North America.
Paranomada
Paranomada is a genus of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, tribe Brachynomadini. The genus contains three described species, all endemic to western North America. As cleptoparasites, these bees do not construct their own nests or provision their own young, but instead lay eggs in the nests of host bees.
Paranomada velutina
Black-velvet Flat-Nomad
Paranomada velutina is a cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, described by Linsley in 1939. It belongs to the subfamily Nomadinae, a group of bees that are cleptoparasites (nest parasites) of other bees. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other nomadine bees, it lacks pollen-collecting structures and relies on host bees to provision its young.
Ptilothrix
chimney bees, mallow bees
Ptilothrix is a genus of solitary, ground-nesting bees in the family Apidae, tribe Emphorini, with an amphitropical distribution in the New World. These bees range from 7 to 15 mm in body length and are distinguished by prominent, coarse scopae on their hind legs adapted for collecting large-grained pollen. Females excavate nests in hard-packed soil using water carried from ponds to moisten the substrate, constructing distinctive turreted or chimney-like nest entrances. The genus exhibits narrow pollen specialization (oligolecty), with species specializing on particular plant families including Malvaceae, Convolvulaceae, Onagraceae, Cactaceae, Pontederiaceae, and Asteraceae.
Simanthedon linsleyi
Simanthedon linsleyi is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. It was described by Zavortink in 1975. The genus Simanthedon is a small group within the Eucerini, commonly known as long-horned bees due to the elongated antennae of males. This species occurs in North America and Middle America.
Svastra machaerantherae
Svastra machaerantherae is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It is native to Central and North America. The species belongs to the tribe Eucerini, a group of solitary bees commonly known as long-horned bees due to the elongated antennae of males.
Svastra petulca
long-horned bee
Svastra petulca is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. The species occurs in Central America and North America. It was originally described as Melissodes petulca by Cresson in 1878, with the basionym later transferred to the genus Svastra. Two subspecies are recognized: S. p. petulca and S. p. suffusa.
Svastra sabinensis
Svastra sabinensis is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1924. It belongs to the tribe Eucerini, a group of solitary bees characterized by elongated antennae in males. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Three subspecies are recognized: S. s. sabinensis, S. s. laterufa, and S. s. nubila. As with other members of the genus Svastra, it is likely associated with pollen collection from Asteraceae flowers, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Syntrichalonia exquisita
Exquisite Longhorn, Exquisite Long-horned Bee
Syntrichalonia exquisita is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the exquisite long-horned bee. It belongs to the tribe Eucerini, a group characterized by elongated antennae, particularly in males. The species occurs across Central and North America. Like other eucerine bees, it is likely solitary and ground-nesting, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Townsendiella rufiventris
Townsendiella rufiventris is a cuckoo bee species in the family Apidae, first described by Linsley in 1942. It belongs to the tribe Townsendiellini within the subfamily Nomadinae. The species has been recorded in the United States and Mexico. As a member of Nomadinae, it is presumed to be a cleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that lays eggs in the nests of other bees, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Triepeolus brittaini
Brittain's Cuckoo Nomad Bee
Triepeolus brittaini is a species of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1931. As a member of the cuckoo bee genus Triepeolus, it is known to lay its eggs in the nests of other bee species rather than constructing its own nests or provisioning brood cells. The species is found in North America and is commonly known as Brittain's Cuckoo Nomad Bee.
Triepeolus concavus
Concave Longhorn-Cuckoo
Triepeolus concavus is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae. Females lay eggs in the ground nests of host bees, particularly sunflower bees (Svastra obliqua expurgata). The species lacks pollen-collecting structures (scopa) and relies on stealing food stores provisioned by host bees. It is found in the United States and Mexico.
Triepeolus distinctus
Triepeolus distinctus is a cleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. As a member of the tribe Epeolini, it is a brood parasite of other bees, likely targeting hosts in the family Apidae such as long-horned bees (Eucerini). The species occurs in North America, though specific details about its biology and host associations remain limited in published literature.
Triepeolus kathrynae
cuckoo bee
Triepeolus kathrynae is a species of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, tribe Epeolini. The species was described by Rozen in 1989. Like other members of the genus Triepeolus, it is a brood parasite that does not construct nests or gather pollen. It has been recorded from the United States and Mexico.
Triepeolus loomisorum
Triepeolus loomisorum is a cleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae, first described by Rozen in 1989. As a member of the genus Triepeolus, it is a cuckoo bee that does not construct nests or gather pollen, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bees. The species is known from the United States and Mexico.
Triepeolus lunatus
Lunate Longhorn-cuckoo Bee, cuckoo bee
Triepeolus lunatus is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the Lunate Longhorn-cuckoo Bee. It occurs across North America from Canada to northern Mexico, and has been observed in Central America. The species inhabits forest edges and meadows, where it parasitizes nests of host bees. As a member of the simplex species group, females possess a trapezoidal or triangular pseudopygidial area with bright, reflective setae and a concave apical margin.
Triepeolus martini
Triepeolus martini is a cleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1900. As a member of the genus Triepeolus, it functions as a cuckoo bee, laying eggs in the nests of host bees. The species has been documented in the United States and Mexico.
Triepeolus matildae
Matilda's Longhorn-Cuckoo
Triepeolus matildae is a cleptoparasitic bee species described by Rightmyer in 2014. As a member of the genus Triepeolus, it is commonly known as Matilda's Longhorn-Cuckoo. The species is documented from California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico. It has been recorded visiting flowers of several plant families including Asteraceae and Polygonaceae. Activity records span from mid-May through late September.
Triepeolus pectoralis
Goldenrod Longhorn-Cuckoo Bee
Triepeolus pectoralis is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae. It is found in North America, with records from Vermont and other regions. As a member of the genus Triepeolus, it is a cleptoparasitic bee that lays eggs in the nests of host bees. The species has been documented on flowers including White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) and Great Valley gumplant (Grindelia camporum).
Triepeolus quadrifasciatus
Four-striped Longhorn-Cuckoo
Triepeolus quadrifasciatus is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the Four-striped Longhorn-Cuckoo. As a member of the tribe Epeolini, this species is a brood parasite of other bees, specifically targeting hosts in the tribe Eucerini (long-horned bees). The species occurs throughout North America and has been documented visiting flowers of native plants including Dalea candida (White Prairie Clover) and Grindelia camporum (Great Valley gumplant).
Triepeolus rufithorax
Florida Longhorn-Cuckoo
Triepeolus rufithorax is a cleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. As a member of the genus Triepeolus, it parasitizes nests of long-horned bees (Melissodes and related genera). The species is known from North America, with records particularly from Florida and surrounding regions. Like other Triepeolus species, females enter host nests to lay eggs in brood cells provisioned by the host female.
Triepeolus simplex
cuckoo bee
Triepeolus simplex is a cleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae, described by Robertson in 1903. It belongs to the simplex species group, characterized by females possessing a trapezoidal or triangular pseudopygidial area with bright, reflective setae and a concave apical margin. As a cuckoo bee, it does not construct nests or collect pollen but instead parasitizes the nests of other bee species. The species occurs in North America and is part of an entirely New World group of Triepeolus species.
Triepeolus utahensis
Utah Longhorn-Cuckoo
Triepeolus utahensis is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1921. As a member of the genus Triepeolus, it is a cuckoo bee that parasitizes nests of digger bees (Anthophorini). The species is native to western North America, with the specific epithet 'utahensis' indicating its association with Utah. Like other Triepeolus species, it lacks pollen-collecting structures and relies entirely on host nests for larval provisioning.
Triepeolus verbesinae
cuckoo bee
Triepeolus verbesinae is a cleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae. As a cuckoo bee, females lay eggs in the nests of host bees rather than constructing their own nests or provisioning brood cells. The species is distributed across the United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Triepeolus, it is associated with pollen-collecting host bees, though the specific host species for T. verbesinae has not been definitively documented.
Triopasites
Triopasites is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae, and tribe Brachynomadini. The genus was described by Linsley in 1939 and contains at least two described species: T. penniger (Cockerell, 1894) and T. spinifera (Rozen, 1997). As cleptoparasitic bees, species in this genus do not construct their own nests but instead lay eggs in the nests of host bees.
Triopasites penniger
Triopasites penniger is a cuckoo bee species in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. Like other members of the genus, it is a cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of host bees. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It belongs to the tribe Brachynomadini, a group of small, often inconspicuous cuckoo bees.
Xenoglossa angustior
Red-tailed Squash Bee
Xenoglossa angustior, the Red-tailed Squash Bee, is a specialist pollinator of cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) in the tribe Eucerini. It is native to North and Middle America and shares the common name "squash bee" with the related genus Peponapis. Both genera are oligoleges that pollinate exclusively squash, pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers, and zucchini.
Xenoglossodes pomonae
Xenoglossodes pomonae is a junior synonym of Tetraloniella pomonae (Cockerell, 1915), a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. The genus Xenoglossodes was established as a replacement name but has been synonymized under Tetraloniella. As a member of the tribe Eucerini, this species belongs to a group of solitary bees commonly known as long-horned bees due to the elongated antennae of males. The specific epithet "pomonae" suggests an association with apple (Malus pumila), though the precise host plant relationships require confirmation.
Xylocopa
Large Carpenter Bees, Carpenter Bees
Xylocopa is a large genus of bees comprising approximately 500 species in 31 subgenera, commonly known as carpenter bees for their distinctive nesting behavior in wood and bamboo. The genus exhibits remarkable diversity in size, coloration, and social organization, ranging from solitary to incipiently social species. Recent research has revealed that Xylocopa species harbor gut microbiomes remarkably similar to those of eusocial bees like honey bees and bumble bees, challenging assumptions that advanced sociality is required for such microbial communities. Carpenter bees are important pollinators of wild plants and crops, with some species demonstrating greater pollination efficiency than honey bees for certain large-flowered crops such as passion fruit.
Xylocopa californica arizonensis
Arizona Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa californica arizonensis is a subspecies of carpenter bee in the family Apidae, recognized as the Arizona Carpenter Bee. It belongs to a genus of large, robust bees known for nesting in wood and exhibiting incipient social behavior. Research on related Xylocopa species has revealed surprising microbiome similarities to highly social bees like honey bees and bumble bees, suggesting that advanced sociality is not required for maintaining complex gut bacterial communities.
Xylocopa californica californica
Northern California Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa californica californica is a subspecies of carpenter bee native to western North America. It is one of three recognized carpenter bee species in California and is distinguished by its bluish metallic body reflections. The subspecies is found in mountain foothill regions of northern and southern California. Like other carpenter bees, it nests by tunneling into wood and serves as an important pollinator in native plant communities.
Xylocopa californica diamesa
Southern California Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa californica diamesa is a subspecies of the California carpenter bee (Xylocopa californica), a large solitary bee in the family Apidae. It occurs in southern California and parts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other carpenter bees, it nests by excavating tunnels in wood, including dead tree limbs and occasionally wooden structures. Females are capable of stinging but are generally non-aggressive; males lack stingers entirely. The species is an important pollinator in native plant communities and contributes to the pollination of some agricultural crops.
Xylocopa micheneri
Michener's Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa micheneri is a carpenter bee species in the family Apidae, described by Hurd in 1978. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: X. m. micheneri and X. m. decipiens. As a member of the genus Xylocopa, it shares the characteristic wood-nesting behavior of carpenter bees, though specific biological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Xylocopa virginica krombeini
South Florida Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica krombeini is a subspecies of the eastern carpenter bee restricted to southern Florida. As part of the Xylocopini tribe, it shares the robust body form and wood-nesting behavior characteristic of large carpenter bees. The subspecies designation reflects geographic isolation and potential morphological differentiation from nominate X. virginica populations in the eastern United States. Like other Xylocopa, it is a solitary bee with incipient social traits, including prolonged maternal care and cohabitation of daughters with mothers.