Masked-bees
Guides
Hylaeus
Masked Bees, Yellow-faced Bees
Hylaeus is a large, diverse genus of solitary bees in the family Colletidae, commonly known as masked bees or yellow-faced bees. The genus contains over 500 species with cosmopolitan distribution, reaching peak diversity in subtropical Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. These bees are distinguished by their nearly hairless, wasp-like appearance and unique method of transporting nectar and pollen internally in a crop rather than externally on body hairs. Many species nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, beetle borings in wood, or abandoned galls.