Cavity-nesting-bee
Guides
Hoplitis spoliata
Dilated-horned Small-Mason
Hoplitis spoliata is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Dilated-horned Small-Mason. It is a member of the diverse osmiine bee tribe, which includes many species that nest in pre-existing cavities and use various materials to construct brood cells. The species was first described by Provancher in 1888 and is native to North America, with documented occurrences in the northeastern United States including Vermont.
Hylaeus leptocephalus
Slender-faced Masked Bee
Hylaeus leptocephalus is a small solitary bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the Slender-faced Masked Bee. Native to the Palearctic region, it has been established in North America since 1912. Like other masked bees, it is nearly hairless and transports pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs. The species nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems and twigs.
Hylaeus schwarzii
Schwarz's Masked Bee
Hylaeus schwarzii is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is a solitary, nearly hairless bee that superficially resembles small wasps. The species was described by Cockerell in 1896 and is one of approximately 50 Hylaeus species occurring in North America. Very little species-specific information is documented for H. schwarzii; most knowledge of its biology is inferred from the broader genus.
Megachile parallela
Parallel Leafcutter Bee
Megachile parallela is a solitary leafcutter bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Smith in 1853. As a member of the genus Megachile, it exhibits the characteristic trait of cutting leaf fragments to construct and line its nest cells. The species is found in North and Middle America. Like other Megachile species, females carry pollen on scopal hairs beneath the abdomen rather than on the legs.
Megachile zapoteca
Megachile zapoteca is a solitary leafcutter bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cresson in 1878. It is native to Mexico and Central America, with records from multiple Mexican states including Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Veracruz, as well as Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. As a member of the genus Megachile, it likely exhibits the characteristic leaf-cutting behavior for nest construction, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Osmia chalybea
Osmia chalybea is a solitary mason bee (Megachilidae) native to North America. It nests in pre-existing cavities and has been studied as a potential pollinator for orchard crops, particularly blueberries. The species serves as a host for the cleptoparasitic bee Stelis ater. It is one of several Osmia species evaluated for commercial management in agricultural pollination systems.
Osmia taurus
Taurus Mason Bee
Osmia taurus is a mason bee native to eastern Asia that was accidentally introduced to North America, first recorded in Maryland and West Virginia in 2002. The species has undergone rapid population expansion across the eastern United States, with established populations now confirmed in Canada (Ontario and Quebec). Its spread has been linked to commercial shipments of the intentionally introduced pollinator Osmia cornifrons, with which it is frequently confused. Population growth of O. taurus in the Mid-Atlantic region reached 800% over 15 years, coinciding with documented declines of 76–91% in six native mason bee species.