Ground-nesting
Guides
Bembix
sand wasps
Bembix is a cosmopolitan genus of approximately 380 species of solitary predatory sand wasps in the family Crabronidae. These wasps are characterized by their large size, often bright coloration, and specialized nesting behavior in sandy substrates. Females excavate burrows in loose sand and provision them with paralyzed flies for their larvae, exhibiting progressive provisioning where prey is delivered as the larva develops. The genus has been documented across North America, Europe, southern Africa, and Australia, with species showing varying degrees of geographic restriction from widespread to narrowly endemic.
Bembix belfragei
A solitary sand wasp in the genus Bembix, characterized by ground-nesting behavior in loose, sandy substrates. Females excavate burrows to provision with paralyzed flies, exhibiting progressive parental care by delivering prey as larvae develop. Adults of both sexes visit flowers for nectar, particularly composites. The species is part of a diverse North American radiation of sand wasps with complex nesting behaviors.
Bombus sitkensis
Sitka bumble bee, Sitka bumblebee
Bombus sitkensis, the Sitka bumble bee, is a medium-sized bumble bee species native to western North America. It is distinguished by its distinctive color pattern featuring yellow and black on the thorax with a black central patch, yellow on the first two abdominal segments, black on segments three and four with yellow posterior rims, and brownish-red terminal segments. The species exhibits an exceptionally long flight period for queens, spanning nearly the entire year in some populations. It has experienced mild population declines in parts of California due to competition with Bombus vosnesenskii for nesting sites.
Bombus ternarius
Tricolored Bumble Bee, Orange-belted Bumblebee
Bombus ternarius is a small, slender bumblebee distinguished by its striking tricolor pattern of yellow, orange, and black bands. It is a ground-nesting, eusocial species with an annual colony cycle lasting one season. The species is common throughout the northeastern United States and much of Canada, where it serves as an important pollinator of native plants including Rubus, goldenrods, Vaccinium, and milkweeds.
Calliopsis
mining bees, panurgine bees
Calliopsis is a genus of solitary mining bees in the family Andrenidae, comprising over 80 described species distributed throughout the western hemisphere. These small to medium-sized bees are ground-nesting, with females excavating burrows in sandy or loose soils. The genus includes both polylectic and oligolectic species, with some showing tight specialization to particular pollen hosts such as Prosopis. Several species have been studied in detail for their nesting biology, foraging behavior, and host-parasite relationships with cleptoparasitic bees.
Calliopsis andreniformis
Eastern Miner Bee
Calliopsis andreniformis, commonly known as the eastern miner bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America and has been documented as a specialist pollinator of plants in the family Fabaceae. The species belongs to a genus of small mining bees that typically nest in sandy or bare soils. Like other members of Andrenidae, females construct individual burrows and provision cells with pollen and nectar for their offspring.
Calliopsis anomoptera
Strange-winged Calliopsis
Calliopsis anomoptera is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Michener in 1942. The common name 'Strange-winged Calliopsis' refers to distinctive wing characteristics. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee. The species occurs in both Central America and North America.
Calliopsis barbata
Calliopsis barbata is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Timberlake in 1952. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it belongs to a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly found in open, sandy habitats. The species occurs in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Calliopsis coloradensis
Colorado Calliopsis Bee
A small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to western North America. Females are solitary ground-nesters that provision burrows with pollen and nectar for their offspring. Males are often observed flying low over nesting aggregations in search of mates. The species is associated with sandy soils in prairie and open habitats.
Calliopsis filiorum
Calliopsis filiorum is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Rozen in 1963. The species belongs to the genus Calliopsis, a group of small to medium-sized ground-nesting bees. Like other members of Andrenidae, females construct solitary burrows in soil. The specific epithet "filiorum" (Latin for "of the daughters") presumably references an aspect of the species' biology or discovery context.
Calliopsis fracta
Calliopsis fracta is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, originally described as Nomadopsis fracta by Rozen in 1952. It belongs to the tribe Calliopsini within the subfamily Panurginae. The species is native to North America and is part of a diverse genus of solitary bees that nest in the ground.
Calliopsis hesperia
Calliopsis hesperia is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Swenk and Cockerell in 1907. The species is native to North America and belongs to a genus of small, ground-nesting bees commonly found in sandy soils. Two subspecies are recognized: C. h. hesperia and C. h. equina. As a member of the Panurginae subfamily, this bee is part of a diverse group of solitary bees that are important native pollinators.
Calliopsis nebraskensis
Nebraska calliopsis
Calliopsis nebraskensis, the Nebraska calliopsis, is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is a ground-nesting solitary bee native to North America. The species was described by Crawford in 1902. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, it likely nests in sandy or loose soils.
Calliopsis pugionis
Pugnosed Miner Bee
Calliopsis pugionis is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1925. It is found in North America, where it excavates burrows in sandy soil. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism with females larger than males, and has a female-biased investment sex ratio consistent with local mate competition theory. It serves as the host for the cleptoparasitic bee Holcopasites ruthae.
Calliopsis rhodophila
Calliopsis rhodophila is a mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1897. The species occurs in Central and North America, where it nests in sandy soils. Like other members of the genus, it is solitary and ground-nesting. Observations of related Calliopsis species suggest males are notably larger than typical for the genus and exhibit hovering flight behavior near female nesting sites.
Calliopsis subalpina
Calliopsis subalpina is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1894. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized solitary bees that nest in the ground. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records spanning from middle to high elevations. Like other Andrenidae, females construct individual burrows in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for their offspring.
Calliopsis zebrata
Streaked Miner Bee
Calliopsis zebrata, commonly known as the streaked miner bee, is a ground-nesting solitary bee in the family Andrenidae. It is notable among Calliopsis species for having relatively large males. The species inhabits sandy soils in plains and prairie environments and has been documented visiting flowers of White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida). It is found in North America, with observations from Colorado and other regions.
Calliopsis zebrata bobbae
A subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, known from sandy soils in Colorado and adjacent regions. Males are notably larger than typical for the genus Calliopsis and exhibit distinctive flight behavior, hovering persistently over nesting sites. The subspecies was described by Rozen in 1958 and is part of the diverse native bee fauna of western North America.
Camponotus americanus
American Carpenter Ant
Camponotus americanus is a North American carpenter ant species characterized by its relatively large size among congeners. Workers measure 7–10 mm in length. The species is primarily ground-nesting, though it exhibits flexibility in nest site selection. It belongs to the diverse genus Camponotus, which contains over 1,000 species globally and is notable for its wood-excavating habits and ecological roles as decomposers.
Camponotus socius
Sandhill Carpenter Ant
A large carpenter ant native to the southeastern United States, well-adapted to sandy soils of xeric woodlands. Exhibits polymorphic worker castes with distinctive coloration including variegated gaster banding. Notable for ground-nesting behavior unusual among Camponotus species, constructing deep nests with satellite colonies. Activity is primarily crepuscular, with midday retreat during hot periods.
Camponotus vicinus
Bicolored Carpenter Ant
Camponotus vicinus is a large, conspicuous carpenter ant distributed across western North America from Alaska to Mexico and east to Texas and Manitoba. Unlike many carpenter ants that nest in wood, this species typically nests in soil under stones and other objects, though it also uses fallen, decomposing logs in higher elevation conifer forests. It is a prominent scavenger and predator in terrestrial ecosystems and is one of the most abundant ground-dwelling arthropods in California's higher elevation conifer forests. The species belongs to a genetically diverse species complex with cryptic diversity, including localized populations of conservation interest such as an undescribed species endemic to the Channel Islands.
Centridini
oil-collecting bees, oil bees
Centridini is a tribe of large apid bees distinguished by specialized adaptations for collecting floral oils, often from plants of the family Malpighiaceae. Many species possess modified leg structures—either combs of flattened, blunt bristles or velvety pads—for gathering oils, which are used in nest construction and cell provisioning. The tribe includes ground-nesting and cavity-nesting solitary bees with diverse nesting behaviors across the Americas. Members exhibit notable thermal tolerance, with some desert species remaining active at high temperatures when other bees are inactive.
Centris
Oil-diggers
Centris is a genus of approximately 250 large apid bees distributed from the southern United States through South America. Females are specialized oil collectors, possessing morphological adaptations for gathering floral oils from plants, primarily in the family Malpighiaceae, which they use for larval nutrition and cell construction. The genus is sister to the corbiculate bees (honey bees, bumble bees, stingless bees) and represents an important lineage for understanding bee evolution and pollination ecology.
Cercerini
Weevil Wasps and Allies
Cercerini is a tribe of solitary wasps within the subfamily Philanthinae of the family Crabronidae. Members are commonly known as "weevil wasps" due to their specialized predation on adult weevils (Curculionidae). The tribe contains approximately 900 species across several genera, with Cerceris being the largest and most widely distributed. These wasps are characterized by their stout bodies, strong mandibles adapted for handling hard-bodied prey, and distinctive nesting behaviors involving burrows in soil or pre-existing cavities.
Cerceris arelate
Cerceris arelate is a solitary predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus known for specialized prey capture, with different Cerceris species targeting distinct insect groups. Like other members of its genus, it constructs underground nests and provisions them with paralyzed prey for its larvae.
Cerceris atramontensis
Cerceris atramontensis is a solitary predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Banks in 1913. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it is a ground-nesting wasp that provisions its underground burrows with paralyzed insect prey for its offspring. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada including Alberta.
Cerceris bicornuta
Cerceris bicornuta is a solitary digger wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is a large species with distinctive orange and white markings, occurring throughout much of North America with particular abundance in the southeastern United States. The species is a specialist predator of weevils in the genus Sphenophorus, which it paralyzes with its sting and provisions in underground nests for its offspring.
Cerceris californica
Cerceris californica is a solitary predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species is a known predator of Buprestidae beetles (jewel beetles), paralyzing them with its sting to provision underground nests for its offspring. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it exhibits prey specialization, though the full breadth of its prey preferences has not been extensively documented.
Cerceris compacta
Cerceris compacta is a solitary predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Cresson in 1865. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, this species is a ground-nesting wasp that hunts and paralyzes prey to provision underground nests for its larvae. The species occurs in North America and Middle America. As a member of the Cerceris genus, it likely exhibits prey specialization, though specific prey preferences for C. compacta have not been documented in the available sources.
Cerceris crucis
Cerceris crucis is a solitary crabronid wasp described in 1904. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, this species is a ground-nesting predatory wasp that provisions its burrows with paralyzed insect prey. The specific prey preferences and detailed biology of C. crucis remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as C. fumipennis.
Cerceris deserta
Cerceris deserta is a solitary ground-nesting wasp in the family Crabronidae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it is a predatory wasp that provisions its underground nests with paralyzed insect prey for its offspring. The specific epithet "deserta" suggests an association with arid or desert environments, though precise ecological details remain limited in available literature. The species is part of a diverse genus of hunting wasps, many of which exhibit prey specialization.
Cerceris flavofasciata floridensis
Cerceris flavofasciata floridensis is a subspecies of the crabronid wasp C. flavofasciata, described by Banks in 1915. It is currently treated as a synonym in taxonomic databases. The parent species belongs to a genus of solitary, ground-nesting predatory wasps that specialize on particular beetle prey. While specific information for this subspecies is sparse, congeners such as C. fumipennis have been extensively studied for their role in biosurveillance of invasive buprestid beetles.
Cerceris frontata
Cerceris frontata is a solitary wasp species in the family Crabronidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it is a ground-nesting predator that provisions its nests with paralyzed insect prey for its larvae. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823. Specific prey preferences and detailed biology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as C. fumipennis.
Cerceris fumipennis
Smoky-winged Beetle Bandit Wasp
Cerceris fumipennis is a solitary, ground-nesting wasp and the only buprestid-hunting member of family Crabronidae in eastern North America. Females construct subterranean nests in hard-packed sandy soil and provision them exclusively with paralyzed jewel beetles (Buprestidae). The wasp has become a valuable biosurveillance tool for detecting the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), as it efficiently locates and captures these beetles from distances up to 2 km from its nest. Citizen science programs known as "WaspWatchers" monitor wasp colonies to survey for pest beetles.
Cerceris gnarina
Cerceris gnarina is a solitary ground-nesting wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1913. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, this species is a specialist predator that captures and paralyzes prey to provision underground nests for its larvae. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and prey preferences remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as C. fumipennis.
Cerceris halone
Cerceris halone is a solitary predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae, described by Banks in 1912. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species is a specialized predator of Curculionidae (weevil) beetles and nests in sandy substrates. Like other Cerceris species, it exhibits prey-specific hunting behavior, provisioning underground nests with paralyzed beetles for its larval offspring.
Cerceris occipitomaculata
Cerceris occipitomaculata is a solitary ground-nesting wasp in the family Crabronidae. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it is a specialist predator that captures and paralyzes prey to provision underground nests for its offspring. The species is distributed across North America and Middle America. As with congeners, it likely exhibits prey specialization, though specific prey records for this species are not well documented in the available sources.
Cerceris rufopicta
Cerceris rufopicta is a solitary ground-nesting wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly Philanthidae). It is native to North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it is a specialist predator that captures and paralyzes prey to provision underground nests for its larvae. The specific prey preferences for this species have not been documented in the available literature.
Cerceris sextoides
weevil wasp
Cerceris sextoides is a solitary hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae that specializes in capturing weevils and other beetles to provision its underground nests. The species is common in Pacific coast states from British Columbia to southern California, ranging inland through Idaho, northwest Utah, and northern Nevada. Males emerge before females and establish territories, often perching on vegetation to watch for competitors. Females paralyze prey with their sting and transport it back to burrows excavated in sandy clay or gravelly clay soil.
Cerceris truncata
Cerceris truncata is a solitary wasp species in the family Crabronidae, described by Cameron in 1890. It belongs to a genus of predatory wasps known for specializing on particular prey groups. Most Cerceris species are ground-nesting solitary wasps that paralyze prey with their sting to provision underground nests for their larvae. The specific biology and prey preferences of C. truncata remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as C. fumipennis.
Cerceris verticalis
Cerceris verticalis is a solitary predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it constructs underground nests and provisions them with paralyzed insect prey for its larvae. The species was described by Frederick Smith in 1856 and occurs in North America and Middle America. As a member of the diverse genus Cerceris, it likely specializes on a particular prey group, though specific prey associations remain undocumented in the available sources.
Chlorion
cricket hunter wasps, steel-blue cricket hunters
Chlorion is a genus of solitary sphecid wasps distributed across the Americas, Africa, and tropical Asia through Java. The genus contains approximately 20 described species, including the well-known Steel-blue Cricket Hunter Wasp (Chlorion aerarium). Females construct underground burrows provisioned with paralyzed orthopteran prey—primarily crickets for most species, though Chlorion cyaneum preys on cockroaches. The genus is characterized by metallic blue to violet coloration, large size, and distinctive nesting behavior often associated with hard-packed soil habitats.
Clypeadon
Clypeadon is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Philanthinae. These wasps are known to hunt harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex species) as prey for their larvae. The genus contains nine described species distributed in North America, primarily in western and southwestern regions of the United States.
Colletes
plasterer bees, cellophane bees, polyester bees
Colletes is a large genus of solitary ground-nesting bees in the family Colletidae, comprising approximately 470 described species with an estimated total around 700. Adults are small, typically 1–2 cm long, with dense pale hair and distinctive wing venation. Females construct individual underground burrows lined with a unique polyester secretion from the Dufour's gland, creating a cellophane-like waterproof coating that gives these bees their common names. They are among the earliest native bees to emerge in spring and are important pollinators, with many species showing specialized pollen-foraging preferences.
Colletes aestivalis
Alumroot Cellophane Bee, Summer Cellophane Bee
Colletes aestivalis is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the Alumroot Cellophane Bee. It is one of approximately 99 Colletes species in North America. Like other members of its genus, females construct individual burrows in sandy soils and line brood cells with a distinctive cellophane-like secretion from the Dufour's gland. The specific epithet 'aestivalis' (Latin for 'of summer') reflects its summer flight period, distinguishing it from many congeners that are active in spring or fall.
Colletes birkmanni
polyester bee, plasterer bee, cellophane bee
Colletes birkmanni is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, one of approximately 99 North American species in the genus Colletes. Like other members of its genus, females construct individual burrows in sandy or thinly vegetated soils and line brood cells with a distinctive cellophane-like secretion from the Dufour's gland. This species belongs to a group commonly called 'polyester bees' or 'plasterer bees' due to this unique waterproofing behavior.
Colletes bryanti
Colletes bryanti is a solitary bee species in the family Colletidae, commonly known as polyester bees or plasterer bees. Like other members of its genus, it is native to North America. The species was described by Timberlake in 1951. Specific ecological details for this species are not well documented in available sources.
Colletes compactus
polyester bee, plasterer bee, cellophane bee
Colletes compactus is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. Like other members of its genus, it constructs subterranean burrows lined with a distinctive cellophane-like secretion produced by the Dufour's gland, earning the common name "polyester bee" or "plasterer bee." The species nests in aggregations in sandy soils, with females provisioning individual brood cells with a semi-liquid mixture of pollen and nectar. Males emerge before females and actively patrol nesting areas seeking mates.
Colletes fulgidus longiplumosus
Long-plumed Cellophane Bee
Colletes fulgidus longiplumosus is a subspecies of plasterer bee in the family Colletidae. Plasterer bees are solitary ground-nesting bees that line their burrows with a cellophane-like secretion from an abdominal gland. As a member of the genus Colletes, this subspecies shares the characteristic vernal activity pattern and ground-nesting biology typical of the group. The subspecific epithet 'longiplumosus' refers to notably long plumose (feathery) hairs, likely a distinguishing feature from the nominate subspecies.
Colletes howardi
Colletes howardi is a species of solitary bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as plasterer bees. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Colletes, it likely shares the characteristic behavior of lining underground brood chambers with a glandular secretion that dries into a cellophane-like, waterproof coating.