Emphorini
Guides
Ancyloscelis apiformis
Apiform Morning glory-Digger
Ancyloscelis apiformis is a solitary bee in the family Apidae, tribe Emphorini. It is known for its association with morning glory flowers (Ipomoea species), from which it derives its common name. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. As a member of the subfamily Apinae, it exhibits pollen-collecting behavior typical of this group.
Diadasia
cactus bees, bindweed turret bees
Diadasia is a genus of solitary bees in the family Apidae, tribe Emphorini, containing approximately 42 species. These bees are oligolectic pollen specialists that primarily forage on plants in the family Malvaceae, though some species have evolved associations with other plant groups including cacti, bindweeds, and willowherbs. They are ground-nesting bees, with many species constructing distinctive turrets or chimney-like structures at their nest entrances. Male Diadasia form large mating aggregations where they compete intensely for access to emerging females.
Diadasia australis californica
Diadasia australis californica is a subspecies of ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae, described by Timberlake in 1940. The genus Diadasia comprises specialist bees that typically forage on specific plant families, with many species associated with morning glories (Convolvulaceae) or cacti. As a subspecies of Diadasia australis, it is native to western North America. The specific epithet "californica" indicates its occurrence in California.
Diadasia laticauda
Diadasia laticauda is a solitary bee species in the family Apidae, described by Cockerell in 1905. It belongs to the genus Diadasia, which comprises ground-nesting bees commonly known as cactus bees due to their specialized association with cactus pollen. Like other members of its genus, D. laticauda is likely a pollen specialist, though specific host plant associations for this species remain poorly documented. The species is native to North America.
Diadasia ochracea
Ochraceous Chimney Bee
Diadasia ochracea, commonly known as the ochraceous chimney bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Diadasia, it is likely a pollen specialist, though specific host plants for this species are not documented in available sources.
Melitoma
chimney bees
Melitoma is a genus of solitary bees commonly known as chimney bees, comprising approximately 11-13 described species. Members of this genus are classified within the family Apidae, tribe Emphorini, and are characterized by their distinctive nesting behavior involving the construction of chimney-like turrets at nest entrances. The genus occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with species documented from North America through Central and South America.
Melitoma grisella
Great Plains Turret Bee
Melitoma grisella is a species of solitary bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the Great Plains Turret Bee. It belongs to the tribe Emphorini, a group of bees known for constructing distinctive turret-like nest entrances. The species was described by Cockerell and Porter in 1899 and is native to North America.
Melitoma marginella
Margined Turret Bee
Melitoma marginella is a species of chimney bee (also called turret bee) in the family Apidae. It is native to Central America and North America. The common name "Margined Turret Bee" refers to the distinctive nest architecture this species constructs.
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.