Paranthidium is a genus of bees in the family Megachilidae, tribe Anthidiini, established by Cockerell & Cockerell in 1901. The genus contains seven described species distributed in North and Central America. Members are solitary bees that construct nests using collected materials. Little is known about the biology of most species, with P. jugatorium being the most frequently observed and studied.
Sunflower Burrowing-Resin bee
Paranthidium jugatorium is a resin bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Sunflower Burrowing-Resin bee. It is native to North and Central America, with records spanning from the southwestern United States through Mexico. The species belongs to the tribe Anthidiini, a group known for constructing nests using plant resins and other materials. Four subspecies are recognized, differing in geographic distribution and minor morphological traits.
Southeastern Sunflower Burrowing-Resin Bee
Paranthidium jugatorium lepidum is a subspecies of resin bee in the family Megachilidae. It is recognized by the common name "Southeastern Sunflower Burrowing-Resin Bee" and is distributed across central and western Mexico. As a member of the genus Paranthidium, it is presumed to construct nests using plant resins and to exhibit solitary nesting behavior. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species P. jugatorium.
white-winged fairy bee, white-winged perdita, shiny green miner bee
Perdita albipennis is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the white-winged fairy bee or shiny green miner bee. It was described by Cresson in 1868. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Three subspecies are recognized: P. a. albipennis, P. a. canadensis, and P. a. mut.
Bequaert's miner bee, Bequaert's perdita
Perdita bequaerti is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. The species was described by Viereck in 1917 and is one of many small, solitary bees in the genus Perdita. It is known to occur in two subspecies: the nominate P. b. bequaerti and P. b. indianensis described by Cockerell in 1922. Like other Perdita species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates burrows in soil.
California Fairy Bee
Perdita californica is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the California Fairy Bee. The species is native to California and Baja California, with two recognized subspecies: P. c. californica and P. c. inopina. Like other members of the genus Perdita, it is a solitary bee. The genus Perdita contains over 700 species, many of which are specialist pollinators with narrow host plant associations.
Perdita cladothricis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1896. It belongs to the large genus Perdita, which contains hundreds of small, often specialist pollinator species native to North America. The species is recorded from Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a solitary, ground-nesting bee, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Coreopsis Fairy Bee, tickseed perdita
Perdita coreopsidis is a small solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Coreopsis Fairy Bee or tickseed perdita. The species was described by Cockerell in 1906 and belongs to the large genus Perdita, which contains hundreds of North American species. Four subspecies are recognized, indicating geographic variation across its range. The specific epithet "coreopsidis" suggests a likely association with Coreopsis (tickseed) plants, though this relationship requires confirmation.
Bee Balm Fairy Bee
Perdita gerhardi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Viereck in 1904. It is native to North America and is commonly known as the Bee Balm Fairy Bee. The species is part of the large genus Perdita, which contains some of the smallest bees in North America. Three subspecies are recognized: P. g. dallasiana, P. g. gerhardi, and P. g. monardae.
California Poppy Fairy Bee
Perdita interrupta is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the California Poppy Fairy Bee. It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee native to North America. The species is part of the large genus Perdita, which contains over 800 species of small mining bees in North America. Like other Perdita species, it is likely a specialist pollinator, though specific host plant associations require further documentation.
Perdita koebelei koebelei is a subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1964. Like other members of the genus Perdita, this subspecies belongs to a diverse group of small, solitary, ground-nesting bees native to North America. The genus Perdita contains approximately 800 species, many of which are specialist pollinators with narrow host-plant associations.
Perdita pelargoides is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1916. It is native to North America. As a member of the genus Perdita, it is likely a small, solitary bee, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in available sources.
pale miner bee, All-pale Perdita
Perdita perpallida is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. The species is distinguished by its notably pale yellow to white coloration, which sets it apart from most other Perdita species that typically exhibit darker or more contrasting patterns. Formerly divided into two subspecies, the taxon was revised in 2023 when Perdita perpallida citrinella was synonymized with the nominate form after being recognized as intraspecific color variation. The species belongs to a large genus of small bees that are important but often overlooked pollinators.
Perdita turgiceps is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1954. It belongs to the genus Perdita, which comprises small, solitary bees commonly known as fairy bees due to their minute size. The species is part of a diverse North American bee fauna that includes over 1,600 species in California alone. Like other Perdita species, it is likely a specialist pollinator, though specific host plant associations for this species have not been documented.
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula is a highly successful invasive social wasp native to Eurasia that has established populations across North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and other regions. First detected in North America near Boston in 1978, it has become one of the most abundant wasps on the continent. The species builds small, exposed paper nests in protected locations and preys primarily on live insects, particularly caterpillars. Unlike yellowjackets, it does not scavenge for meat or sugar. Its rapid spread has been attributed to ecological flexibility, superior competitive ability, and tolerance of human-altered environments.
Protepeolini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees within the family Apidae. The tribe includes the genus Leiopodus and, according to some sources, Epeoloides. Members are specialized brood parasites of other bees, with larvae exhibiting distinctive killing behaviors toward host offspring. First instar larvae show unusual developmental patterns, including extended quiescence or abbreviated stadia.
Protodufourea is a genus of sweat bees in the family Halictidae, established by Timberlake in 1955. The genus contains approximately five described species. It belongs to the subfamily Rophitinae and tribe Rophitini, a group of bees often associated with specialized floral relationships.
Pseudaugochlora is a genus of sweat bees in the family Halictidae, tribe Augochlorini. Members are small to medium-sized bees with metallic coloration. The genus occurs in the Neotropical region, with records from Caribbean islands including Providencia. As with other Augochlorini, they are solitary or weakly social ground-nesting bees.
Pseudopanurgus atricornis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It was first described by Cresson in 1878. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Pseudopanurgus, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized bees that nest in the ground.
A subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, originally described by Cockerell in 1931. The subspecific epithet honors P.H. Timberlake, a prominent entomologist associated with the University of California, Riverside, whose extensive collections significantly advanced knowledge of North American bees. As a member of the Panurginae, this bee is a solitary ground-nester.
Pseudopanurgus rugosus is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Robertson in 1895. The species is native to North America and Middle America. As a member of the Panurginae subfamily, it is a solitary bee that excavates nests in soil. The specific epithet 'rugosus' refers to a wrinkled or roughened surface texture, likely describing some aspect of the integument.
Ptiloglossa arizonensis is a species of plasterer bee in the family Colletidae, described by Timberlake in 1946. It belongs to a genus of bees known for nesting in soil and producing cellophane-like lining materials for their brood cells. The species is native to the southwestern United States, with Arizona in its name reflecting its type locality. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee.
Mexican feather-tongue
Ptiloglossa mexicana is a nocturnal bee species in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the Mexican feather-tongue. It is found from Central America north to Texas, USA. As a member of the genus Ptiloglossa, it belongs to a group of bees characterized by their distinctive feathery glossae (tongue structures) adapted for nectar collection. The species is part of the diverse and ecologically important community of native bees that contribute to pollination in its range.
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 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.
Fiery Cyclops Blood Bee
Sphecodes heraclei ignitus is a subspecies of blood bee within the family Halictidae. Like other members of the genus Sphecodes, this bee is a cleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that exploits the nests of other solitary bees. The subspecific epithet 'ignitus' (meaning 'fiery') and its common name suggest distinctive coloration. The species was described by Cockerell in 1922. As a Sphecodes, it exhibits the characteristic parasitic lifestyle of the genus, targeting sweat bees and other ground-nesting halictids.
Stelis australis floridensis is a subspecies of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by Mitchell in 1962. Like other members of the genus Stelis, this bee is a kleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily megachilid hosts. The subspecific epithet 'floridensis' indicates its association with Florida. Very few observations of this taxon have been recorded.
Spot-sided Dark Bee
Stelis lateralis is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is a cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of other bees, particularly megachilids. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Stelis lateralis lateralis and Stelis lateralis permaculata.
Stelis perpulchra is a cuckoo bee species in the family Megachilidae, first described by Crawford in 1916. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is a cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of other bees. The species occurs in both Central America and North America.
Coneflower Painted-Dark bee
Stelis rudbeckiarum is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Cockerell in 1904. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is an obligate cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees. The species is distributed across North America and Central America. Its specific epithet 'rudbeckiarum' suggests an association with Rudbeckia (coneflowers), likely reflecting host or foraging relationships.
long-horned bee
Svastra atripes is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. The species was originally described as Melissodes atripes by Cresson in 1872. It includes three recognized subspecies: S. a. atrimitra, S. a. atripes, and S. a. georgica. As a member of the tribe Eucerini, it belongs to a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees characterized by elongated antennae in males.
long-horned bee
Svastra duplocincta is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of the tribe Eucerini, it belongs to a group of solitary bees characterized by elongated antennae, particularly in males. The species was originally described as Melissodes duplocincta by Cockerell in 1905.
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.
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 pulchra is a cuckoo bee (family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae) known from the United States and Mexico. It is a kleptoparasite, meaning females lay eggs in the nests of host bees rather than constructing their own. The species specifically targets Hesperapis larreae as its host. As a member of the tribe Townsendiellini, it belongs to a small group of specialized nomadine bees with limited documented natural history.
Cordate-headed Resin-Leafcutter
Trachusa cordaticeps is a species of resin-leafcutter bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Michener in 1949. It belongs to the tribe Anthidiini, which includes bees that construct nests using plant resins and leaf pieces. The species is distributed across Central and North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely nests in pre-existing cavities and uses resinous materials for cell construction.
Trachusa larreae is a solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, tribe Anthidiini. It is an oligolectic specialist pollinator of Larrea tridentata (creosote bush), with documented nesting biology and immature stages. The species occurs in arid regions of North and Central America where its host plant is present.
Trachusa manni is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Crawford in 1918. It is a member of the tribe Anthidiini, commonly known as resin bees or wool carder bees. The species is found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary bee that constructs nests using plant resins and other materials.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Xenoglossodes is a subgenus of long-horned bees in the genus Xenoglossa (family Apidae). Established by Ashmead in 1899, it is currently recognized as a subgenus rather than a full genus. The taxonomic status has been historically unstable, with Xenoglossodes excurrens (Cockerell, 1903) now treated as a synonym of Melissodes subagilis. Members are specialist bees associated with cucurbit flowers.
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.
Xeralictus bicuspidariae is a rare bee species in the family Halictidae, discovered to play a central role in a floral mimicry system in the Sonoran Desert. The species is one of two rare Xeralictus bees involved in a pollination relationship with Mentzelia involucrata, a yellow-flowered plant in the family Loasaceae. Male bees patrol for females at these flowers, where they attempt to mate with females buried head-first in the blossoms. This behavior has been exploited by the orchid-like plant Mohavea confertiflora, which mimics both the appearance of Mentzelia flowers and the visual cue of a female bee abdomen, tricking males into attempting copulation and thereby transferring pollen.
Spotted Mini-digger-Cuckoo
Zacosmia maculata is a species of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, tribe Melectini. As a cuckoo bee, females do not construct nests or collect pollen; instead, they lay eggs in the nests of host bees, primarily species of Hesperapis. The species occurs in western North America and parts of Middle America.
Zikanapis elegans is a species of plasterer bee in the family Colletidae, originally described as Caupolicana elegans by Timberlake in 1965. It belongs to a genus of solitary bees found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other colletid bees, it likely nests in the ground and lines its brood cells with a cellophane-like secretion. The species is poorly known, with limited observational records.