Ground-nesting
Guides
Hesperapis larreae
Creosote Evening Bee
Hesperapis larreae is a solitary, ground-nesting bee in the family Melittidae, subfamily Dasypodainae. It is commonly known as the Creosote Evening Bee, suggesting a close association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). The species was described by Cockerell in 1907 and occurs in arid regions of North America and Middle America. As a member of the small bee family Melittidae, it represents one of the more basal lineages within the Apoidea.
Hesperapis oraria
Gulf Coast solitary bee, Gulf Coast evening bee
Hesperapis oraria is a rare, solitary bee endemic to the northern Gulf Coast of the United States. Described in 1997, it is the only known member of the subfamily Dasypodainae in eastern North America. The species is monolectic, relying exclusively on the coastal plain honeycomb head (Balduina angustifolia) for pollen and nectar. It is critically imperiled due to its restricted range and habitat specificity.
Hesperapis regularis
Clarkia Evening Bee
Hesperapis regularis is an oligolectic bee endemic to California, specialized in collecting pollen exclusively from flowers of the genus Clarkia. Unlike most bees, it is active in the evening hours. Females construct underground nests where they provision chambers with a mixture of Clarkia pollen and nectar for larval development.
Hoplisoides nebulosus
sand wasp
Hoplisoides nebulosus is a solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, known for hunting treehoppers (Membracidae) to provision underground nests. The species is found primarily in the eastern United States, with a subspecies H. n. spilopterus occurring in western regions including Colorado. Females construct burrows in sandy soil with distinctive spotted wings that aid in identification. The species exhibits specialized nesting behavior including head-first entry into burrows and rapid nest closure that leaves them vulnerable to parasitism.
Hoplisoides tricolor
sand wasp
Hoplisoides tricolor is a species of solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, originally described by Cresson in 1868. It is one of approximately eighteen Hoplisoides species found in North America north of Mexico. Like congeners, it is a ground-nesting wasp that hunts treehoppers (Membracidae) as prey for its larvae. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with most Hoplisoides species concentrated in western North America.
Lalapa
Lalapa is a genus of wasps in the family Tiphiidae, first described by Pate in 1947. The genus contains at least one species, Lalapa lusa, whose name is a humorous play on words sounding like "la-la palooza." These wasps belong to a group of solitary, ground-nesting parasitoids that attack scarab beetle larvae.
Larrini
square-headed wasps
Larrini is a tribe of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as square-headed wasps. The tribe contains approximately 15 genera and over 1,300 described species. Members are characterized by reduced ocelli, often appearing as small scars rather than functional simple eyes. The tribe includes well-known genera such as Tachytes and Liris, which are common in North America and have been studied for their nesting biology and prey specialization.
Lasioglossum albipenne
white-winged metallic-sweat bee, white-winged sweat bee
Lasioglossum albipenne is a metallic sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the white-winged metallic-sweat bee. It belongs to the subgenus Dialictus, a large and taxonomically challenging group of small bees. The species was originally described by Robertson in 1890 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with several synonymies resolved in recent Canadian treatments. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-nesting bee and likely contributes to pollination in its native range.
Lasioglossum anomalum
Anomalous Metallic Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum anomalum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, one of over 1,700 species in the genus Lasioglossum. As with other members of this large genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and broader distribution across the continent. Like related Lasioglossum species, it likely exhibits metallic coloration typical of many halictid bees.
Lasioglossum cinctipes
Lasioglossum cinctipes is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, a group of small to medium-sized bees commonly attracted to human perspiration for its salt content. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum—one of the largest bee genera with over 1,700 species—this bee is part of a diverse lineage of ground-nesting solitary to semi-social bees. The species is documented from North America, with records from Vermont and other regions.
Lasioglossum floridanum
Florida sweat bee
Lasioglossum floridanum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to a large genus of small bees commonly known as sweat bees due to their attraction to human perspiration. The species is native to North America, with records primarily from the United States. Like other members of the genus, it is a ground-nesting bee that contributes to pollination of wild plants and crops.
Lasioglossum hitchensi
Hitchens's Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum hitchensi is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2012. It belongs to the genus Lasioglossum, the largest genus of bees with over 1,700 species. Like other members of this genus, it is likely a small to medium-sized bee with nesting habits typical of ground-nesting halictids. The species is known from limited observations, primarily from Vermont in the northeastern United States.
Lasioglossum katherineae
Lasioglossum katherineae is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2011. It belongs to the subgenus Dialictus within the large genus Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species worldwide. Like other members of this genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont.
Lasioglossum leucozonium
White-banded Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum leucozonium is a solitary, ground-nesting sweat bee in the family Halictidae. Native to the Palearctic, it has been introduced to North America where genetic evidence indicates establishment from a single founder female. The species is now widespread across multiple continents including Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America. It produces one generation per year and is a generalist pollinator frequently associated with yellow-flowered Asteraceae.
Lasioglossum macoupinense
Macoupin County sweat bee
Lasioglossum macoupinense is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the Macoupin County sweat bee. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-nesting bee. The species was first described by Robertson in 1895.
Lasioglossum mesillense
Lasioglossum mesillense is a 'red-tailed' sweat bee in the subgenus Lasioglossum (Dialictus), originally described from New Mexico in 1898. The species was recently revised in a comprehensive treatment of western Nearctic Dialictus, during which two junior synonyms were newly recognized and a lectotype was designated. As with other members of this large subgenus, it is a small, ground-nesting bee. The specific epithet references Mesilla, New Mexico, the type locality.
Lasioglossum nelumbonis
water-lily sweat bee
Lasioglossum nelumbonis is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the water-lily sweat bee. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, with over 1,700 species worldwide. Like other members of the genus, it is a ground-nesting bee. The specific epithet 'nelumbonis' suggests an association with water lilies (Nelumbo), though direct ecological documentation is limited.
Lasioglossum perpunctatum
Densely Punctured Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a metallic sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, one of the most diverse and commonly collected bee groups in North America. The species was originally described by Ellis in 1913 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with two former species (D. highlandicus and D. junaluskensis) now synonymized with it. Like other Dialictus, it exhibits varied social systems ranging from solitary to eusocial. As a member of the largest bee genus, it contributes to pollination services in its native range.
Lasioglossum sisymbrii
Tansy Mustard Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum sisymbrii is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the Tansy Mustard Sweat Bee. It belongs to one of the largest bee genera, with over 1,700 species. The species is frequently captured in bowl traps used for bee monitoring, often in large numbers relative to other bee species. It occurs in western North America and has been documented visiting flowers of tansy-mustard (Descurainia spp.) and related plants in the mustard family.
Lasioglossum texanum
Nocturnal Sweat Bee, Texas Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum texanum is a nocturnal sweat bee (family Halictidae) notable for its unusual foraging behavior. Unlike most bees, it actively collects pollen during evening hours and continues after dark until approximately 10:00 PM when moonlight is available. It is a ground-nesting solitary bee with highly specialized pollen preferences, foraging exclusively from flowers of the four-point evening-primrose (Oenothera rhombipetala).
Lasioglossum titusi
Titus's Sweat Bee, Titus' Lasioglossum
Lasioglossum titusi is a solitary sweat bee in the family Halictidae, native to North America. It is a ground-nesting species that excavates burrows in flat, bare soil, often forming nest aggregations with multiple individuals nesting in close proximity. As a polylectic species, it collects pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants rather than specializing on a single host. The species is part of the largest genus of bees, Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species globally.
Lasioglossum truncatum
Truncate Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum truncatum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, one of over 1,700 species in the genus Lasioglossum. Like other members of this large genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee. The species occurs in North America and has been documented in Vermont and other regions. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information specific to L. truncatum is limited, though it shares general ecological traits with its congeners.
Lasioglossum tuolumnense
Lasioglossum tuolumnense is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2009. It belongs to the genus Lasioglossum, the largest genus of bees with over 1,700 species. As a halictid bee, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social species, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Lasioglossum viridatum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum viridatum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Lovell in 1905. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species is part of the enormous Lasioglossum genus, which contains over 1,700 species globally and is frequently encountered in bee monitoring studies due to its abundance. It has been recorded in North America, with specific observations from Vermont.
Lasioglossum zonulum
Sweat bee
Lasioglossum zonulum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, native to Europe and introduced to North America. It belongs to the subgenus Dialictus, one of the most species-rich groups of bees globally. Like other Lasioglossum species, it is a ground-nesting bee that visits flowers for pollen and nectar. The species is notable for being frequently captured in bowl traps used for bee monitoring, a trait common to many small halictid bees.
Liris
Liris is a large genus of solitary, ground-nesting wasps in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini, containing over 260 species worldwide with greatest diversity in the tropics. These wasps are among the earliest emerging solitary wasps in spring because females overwinter as adults. They are medium-sized, silvery-black wasps that hunt crickets as prey for their larvae. Only two species, L. argentatus and L. beata, occur consistently north of the extreme southern United States.
Liris argentatus
Square-headed Wasp
Liris argentatus is a solitary, square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is one of the most abundant and widespread species of its genus in North America, ranging from southern Canada to Panama. Females overwinter as adults and emerge early in spring, often being among the first solitary wasps observed. The species is a specialist predator of crickets, provisioning underground nests with paralyzed prey for its larvae.
Lyroda
square-headed wasps, cricket hunters
Lyroda is a genus of solitary, square-headed wasps in the family Crabronidae. The genus contains at least 26 described species, with most diversity occurring in Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America; one species, L. subita, is widespread in North America. Females are specialized hunters of crickets and related orthopterans, provisioning underground nests with paralyzed prey for their larvae.
Lyroda subita
square-headed wasp, cricket hunter
Lyroda subita is a solitary, medium-sized square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. Females construct underground nests and provision them with paralyzed crickets as food for their larvae. The species is distinguished from similar genera by its large arolia (tarsal foot pads) and three functional ocelli. It occurs across much of North America and has been documented using both typical cricket hosts and, in at least one case, pygmy mole crickets.
Macropidini
Macropidini is a tribe of bees within the family Melittidae, subfamily Melittinae. These bees are solitary and ground-nesting, with most species belonging to the genus Macropis. They are notable for their specialized oil-collecting behavior, gathering floral oils from Lysimachia (Primulaceae) flowers to provision their nests. This oil-collecting adaptation is rare among bees and represents a distinctive ecological specialization.
Macropis nuda
Dark-footed Yellow Loosestrife Bee
Macropis nuda is a small, ground-nesting solitary bee in the family Melittidae, native to northern North America. It is a highly specialized oligolectic species that forages exclusively for floral oils and pollen from Lysimachia ciliata (Primulaceae). The bee exhibits unique adaptations for oil collection, including dense white scopae on the posterior tibiae that use capillary action to hold oils. It is univoltine, with offspring hibernating as pupae in cocoons until the following spring.
Megachile melanophaea
Black-and-gray Leafcutter Bee
Megachile melanophaea is a solitary leafcutter bee native to North America, first described by Frederick Smith in 1853. Females construct nests in ground holes or small cavities, lining individual cells with carefully cut leaf pieces and provisioning them with pollen and nectar. This species has been documented as a pollinator of slipper orchids (Cypripedium species), including the rare Cypripedium macranthos var. rebunense, which is otherwise pollinated almost exclusively by queen bumble bees. The species is parasitized by cuckoo bees Coelioxys sodalis and Coelioxys rufitarsus.
Megachile perihirta
Western Leafcutter Bee, Western leafcutting bee
Megachile perihirta, commonly known as the Western Leafcutter Bee, is a solitary bee native to western North America. It is an important pollinator of alfalfa and other crops, recognized by its distinctive leaf-cutting behavior where females cut circular pieces from leaves to line nest cells. The species nests in pre-existing cavities in soil, sand, gravel, or rotting wood, and carries pollen on a scopa located on the underside of the abdomen rather than on the hind legs.
Megachile texana
Texas leafcutter bee
Megachile texana is a solitary leafcutter bee native to the United States and southern Canada. Females construct nests using cut leaf pieces to line brood chambers, typically in soil burrows under rocks or clods. The species was first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878. Like other Megachile species, females carry pollen on scopal hairs beneath the abdomen rather than on the hind legs.
Megandrena
encelia megandrena
Megandrena is a genus of mining bees in the family Andrenidae. The genus was established by Cockerell in 1927. It contains at least two described species: Megandrena enceliae and Megandrena mentzeliae. These bees are solitary ground-nesting bees characteristic of the Andrenidae family.
Melecta separata
Melecta separata is a cleptoparasitic bee (cuckoo bee) in the family Apidae, native to North America. The species contains six recognized subspecies distributed across western and southwestern regions of the continent. Like other members of the genus Melecta, it is a nest parasite of solitary bees, particularly species in the genus Anthophora. The subspecies M. separata callura has been specifically documented as a cleptoparasite of Anthophora pacifica.
Melissodes
long-horned bees
Melissodes is a large genus of long-horned bees in the tribe Eucerini, with approximately 129-140 described species native to the Americas. Males are named for their characteristically long antennae that extend well beyond the head. The genus exhibits diverse pollen specialization strategies, with females ranging from polylectic to oligolectic, particularly on Asteraceae. Species are economically important as crop pollinators, especially for sunflower.
Melissodes agilis
agile long-horned bee, agile longhorn bee
Melissodes agilis is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, characterized by the notably long antennae of males. The species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in behavior: females are solitary ground-nesters, while males form nightly sleeping aggregations on flowers and vegetation. Males are highly territorial, aggressively defending floral resources from other pollinators including butterflies and bees. The species is native to North and Central America and has been documented in urban pollinator gardens.
Melissodes bimaculatus
Two-spotted Longhorn Bee, two-spotted longhorn
Melissodes bimaculatus, commonly known as the two-spotted longhorn bee, is a solitary bee species in the family Apidae. It is a member of the long-horned bee tribe Eucerini, characterized by males having exceptionally long antennae. The species is native to North America and has been documented as an early-season pollinator in agricultural settings, particularly in pumpkin patches. It is one of the bee species used in mark-recapture studies to evaluate wild bee sampling protocols.
Melissodes coreopsis
Tickseed Longhorn Bee
Melissodes coreopsis is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, described by Robertson in 1905. The common name 'Tickseed Longhorn Bee' reflects its association with Coreopsis flowers. Like other members of the genus Melissodes, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee that contributes to pollination of native wildflowers. Males of this genus are known to form sleeping aggregations on vegetation at night while females nest underground.
Melissodes denticulatus
Denticulate Longhorn Bee
Melissodes denticulatus is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. The species is distinguished by its strong association with ironweed (Vernonia), which serves as a key identification cue. As a member of the genus Melissodes, it exhibits the characteristic elongated antennae typical of male long-horned bees. The specific epithet "denticulatus" refers to small tooth-like structures, likely describing features of the mouthparts or other anatomical details.
Melissodes dentiventris
long-horned bee
Melissodes dentiventris is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Melissodes, males possess elongated antennae that give the group its common name. The species is a solitary ground-nesting bee and contributes to pollination of native flora. Specific ecological details for M. dentiventris remain limited in published literature, with most behavioral observations documented for congeners such as M. agilis.
Melissodes desponsus
Eastern Thistle Longhorn Bee
Melissodes desponsus is a solitary, ground-nesting longhorn bee native to northeastern North America. Females are oligolectic specialists on Cirsium thistles, collecting white pollen that often obscures their distinctive orange scopae. The species is active in mid-to-late summer and has been assessed as vulnerable or imperiled in several regional conservation evaluations, though it lacks a comprehensive rangewide status assessment.
Melissodes illatus
Valiant Long-horned Bee
Melissodes illatus is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the Valiant Long-horned Bee. It belongs to a genus characterized by males with exceptionally long antennae and territorial behavior. Like other Melissodes species, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee and an important native pollinator. The species has been documented across North America, with observation records from regions including Vermont.
Melissodes pallidisignatus
Melissodes pallidisignatus is a long-horned bee species in the family Apidae, native to North and Central America. Like other members of the genus Melissodes, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee. The species is part of a diverse genus of approximately 130 species of medium to large bees commonly known as long-horned bees due to the elongated antennae of males. It contributes to pollination in its native range, though specific ecological studies on this species are limited compared to better-known congeners such as Melissodes agilis.
Melissodes rivalis
rival long-horned bee, Western Thistle Longhorn Bee
Melissodes rivalis is a solitary long-horned bee in the family Apidae, native to northern North America. Males are distinguished by antennae that may exceed their body length. Females construct individual underground nests and provision them with pollen, while males form sleeping aggregations on flower heads. The species has been documented pollinating thistles (Cirsium sp.).
Melissodes robustior
robust long-horned bee
Melissodes robustior, commonly known as the robust long-horned bee, is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It is native to the West Coast of North America. Male individuals have been observed exhibiting the characteristic sleeping behavior of the genus Melissodes, clustering on flowers or stems at night while females nest underground.
Melissodes tepaneca
Tepanec Long-horned Bee
Melissodes tepaneca is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species belongs to a genus characterized by males with notably elongated antennae. Like other Melissodes species, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee that contributes to pollination of native flora.
Melissoptila
Melissoptila is a genus of bees in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. These are long-horned bees characterized by elongated male antennae. The genus occurs in the Americas, with documented records from the Caribbean and South America. Species in this genus are solitary and ground-nesting.
Neoponera
Neoponera Panther Ants
Neoponera is a genus of ponerine ants restricted to the Neotropics, ranging from southern Texas to southern Brazil. Workers are slender and medium to large in size (6.5–19 mm), while queens are larger and winged. The genus exhibits diverse nesting behaviors, including ground nests in soil and decaying wood, as well as arboreal ant gardens. Some species, such as those in the N. laevigata species-group, are specialized termite predators.