Megachilidae
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Anthidiellum notatum gilense
Gila Rotund-Resin Bee
Anthidiellum notatum gilense is a subspecies of resin bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Gila Rotund-Resin Bee. It belongs to a genus characterized by using plant resins to construct nest cells. The subspecies designation suggests geographic differentiation from the nominate form, with this taxon associated with the Gila region of the southwestern United States.
Anthidiellum robertsoni
Anthidiellum robertsoni is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, order Hymenoptera. It is a member of the tribe Anthidiini, commonly known as wool-carder bees or potter bees. The species was described by Cockerell in 1904. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a solitary bee that constructs nests using plant materials. The species occurs in North America.
Anthidiini
Anthidiini is a tribe of bees in the family Megachilidae comprising at least 40 genera and approximately 840 described species. The tribe is strongly supported as monophyletic based on molecular and morphological evidence. Members exhibit diverse nesting strategies, with many species constructing nests from plant resins, plant fibers, or other collected materials. The tribe includes economically important pollinators as well as cleptoparasitic species in the genus Stelis.
Anthidium
Wool Carder Bees, Carder Bees, Potter Bees
Anthidium is a genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae containing approximately 80 species. These bees are commonly known as wool carder or potter bees due to their distinctive nest-building behavior: females collect plant hairs, conifer resin, mud, or combinations thereof to construct brood cells. Unlike leafcutter bees in the same family, Anthidium species do not cut leaf pieces. They possess pollen-carrying scopa exclusively on the ventral surface of the abdomen, a characteristic trait of Megachilidae. The genus is primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and South America.
Anthidium edwardsii
Edwards' Woolcarder
Anthidium edwardsii is a solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the wool carder bees. The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and occurs in North America. Like other Anthidium species, females collect plant fibers from hairy leaves to construct nest cells. The species has undergone several taxonomic revisions, with three junior synonyms synonymized under the current name.
Anthidium florentinum
Florentine Woolcarder Bee, European wool carder bee
Anthidium florentinum is a medium to large solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Florentine wool carder bee. Native to the Mediterranean region, it has been introduced to multiple continents including North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. Males are highly territorial and defend floral resources against conspecifics and other bees. Females collect plant trichomes (wool) to line nest cells constructed in pre-existing cavities. The species has been detected in the Canary Islands through citizen science, representing a recent range expansion to oceanic archipelagos.
Anthidium palliventre
Pacific Woolcarder
Anthidium palliventre is a megachilid bee native to western North America, commonly known as the Pacific Woolcarder. Females collect plant fibers, particularly from hairy leaves such as lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina), to construct nest cells. Males establish and defend floral territories, exhibiting aggressive behavior toward other insects that approach their claimed flowers. The species is closely related to the introduced European wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum), but is native rather than invasive.
Ashmeadiella bigeloviae
Ashmeadiella bigeloviae is a species of solitary bee in the family Megachilidae. It was first described by Cockerell in 1897 under the name Heriades bigeloviae. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is a cavity-nesting bee that carries pollen on the underside of its abdomen.
Ashmeadiella bucconis denticulata
Western Big-Cheeked Angled-Mason
Ashmeadiella bucconis denticulata is a subspecies of mason bee in the family Megachilidae. It is one of several subspecies within the Ashmeadiella bucconis species complex. The subspecies was originally described by Cresson in 1878 under the genus Heriades. Very few observations exist in citizen science databases, suggesting it may be uncommon or underreported.
Ashmeadiella xenomastax
Square-jawed Angled-Mason
Ashmeadiella xenomastax is a species of mason bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Michener in 1939. It is known from Central and North America. The common name "Square-jawed Angled-Mason" refers to distinctive morphological features of the species. Like other members of the genus Ashmeadiella, it is a solitary bee that constructs nests using collected materials.
Atoposmia
Atoposmia is a genus of bees in the family Megachilidae, tribe Osmiini. The genus was established by Cockerell in 1935 and is part of the diverse megachilid bee fauna. These bees are solitary and nest in pre-existing cavities, with females constructing brood cells using collected materials.
Chelostoma campanularum
Small Scissor Bee, Harebell Carpenter Bee
Chelostoma campanularum is a small solitary bee in the family Megachilidae. It is a pollen specialist strongly associated with Campanula (bellflower) species. The species is notable for its distinctive pollen-collecting behavior using abdominal scopae rather than leg scopae, and for nesting in hollow plant stems.
Chelostoma phaceliae
Chelostoma phaceliae is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, described by Michener in 1938. Like other members of the genus Chelostoma, it is a specialist bee with narrow ecological associations. The species is native to North America and is part of the diverse assemblage of solitary bees that provide essential pollination services without forming social colonies.
Chelostoma philadelphi
Mock-orange Scissor Bee
Chelostoma philadelphi is a small solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Mock-orange Scissor Bee. The species is native to North America and has been documented in the northeastern United States, including Vermont. Its morphology and nesting biology have been formally described, though detailed ecological data remain limited. The species belongs to a genus of scissor bees characterized by specialized nesting habits.
Coelioxys
leaf-cutting cuckoo bees, sharp-tailed bees, sharptail bees
Coelioxys is a genus of solitary kleptoparasitic bees in the family Megachilidae, containing approximately 500 species across 15 subgenera. These bees are commonly known as leaf-cutting cuckoo bees or sharp-tailed bees. They do not construct their own nests or provision their young, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bees and relying on host-collected pollen for their larval development.
Coelioxys aztecus
Coelioxys aztecus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, this species is an obligate brood parasite (kleptoparasite) of other bees, primarily targeting leafcutter bees (Megachile). The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and occurs in Middle America. Like other Coelioxys, females possess a distinctive pointed abdomen adapted for inserting eggs into host nest cells.
Coelioxys banksi
Coelioxys banksi is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, it is a kleptoparasite that exploits the nests of other bees. The species is known to parasitize nests of Megachile relativa, a leafcutter bee. Like other Coelioxys species, females possess a pointed abdomen adapted for inserting eggs into host nest cells.
Coelioxys coturnix
Coelioxys coturnix is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as sharp-tailed bees or cuckoo leafcutting bees. As a cleptoparasite, females do not construct their own nests or provision cells with pollen. Instead, they exploit nests of host bees in the genus Megachile, laying eggs in host cells where their larvae kill the host offspring and consume the stored provisions. The species has been documented exhibiting hospicidal behavior, where the parasitic larva actively kills the host egg or larva.
cleptoparasitecuckoo-beeMegachilidaesolitary-beehospicidal-behaviorsharp-tailed-beecuckoo-leafcutting-beenest-parasiteMegachile-parasitenative-beepollinator-communitybee-hotel-inhabitantlarval-instars-describedPérez-1884PalaearcticNearcticAfrotropicalOrientalmultiple-continentschemical-cue-trackingpopulation-regulationnon-stingingno-nest-constructionpollen-transport-absentabdominal-spinehost-egg-killinglarval-development-on-host-provisionsseasonal-emergence-synchronized-with-hostmale-patrolling-behaviornest-tunnel-entry-during-host-absenceartificial-nesting-block-use-indicatorbee-conservation-indicator-speciesspecialized-parasitenative-bee-diversity-componentno-direct-agricultural-roleobserver-interest-speciesbee-monitoring-targetmorphological-identification-required-for-species-levelgenus-level-traits-well-documentedspecies-specific-details-limited-in-sourcesCoelioxys dolichos
carpenter-mimic cuckoo leaf-cutter bee
Coelioxys dolichos is a species of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. It is known to parasitize nests of the leaf-cutter bee Megachile xylocopoides. The species occurs in North America.
Coelioxys edita
Coelioxys edita is a species of sharp-tailed bee in the family Megachilidae. Like other members of its genus, it is a cleptoparasite that exploits the nests of other bees rather than building its own. The species was described by Cresson in 1872 and occurs in North America and Middle America. As a cuckoo bee, it represents one of the many parasitic strategies found within the solitary bees.
Coelioxys germanus
Coelioxys germanus is a species of cuckoo leafcutting bee in the family Megachilidae. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, it is a kleptoparasite that exploits the nests of host bees rather than constructing its own. The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and is known from North America.
Coelioxys hunteri
Hunter's cuckoo-leaf-cutter bee
Coelioxys hunteri is a species of cuckoo leafcutter bee in the family Megachilidae. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a cleptoparasite that exploits the nest provisions of other bees rather than collecting pollen and nectar itself. The species was described by Crawford in 1914 and occurs in North America and Middle America.
Coelioxys immaculatus
Coelioxys immaculatus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cockerell in 1912. Like all members of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a cleptoparasite (cuckoo) of other bees, specifically targeting leafcutter bees (Megachile). The specific epithet 'immaculatus' suggests an unmarked or spotless appearance, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in available sources. As a parasitic bee, females do not construct nests or collect pollen but instead lay eggs in the nests of host species.
Coelioxys mexicanus
Coelioxys mexicanus is a species of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. As with other members of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.). The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and occurs in North America and Middle America.
Coelioxys modestus
Modest Sharptail
Coelioxys modestus is a species of solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Modest Sharptail. It is a cleptoparasitic bee that targets other Megachilidae, particularly leafcutter bees (Megachile). The species occurs in North America, with records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. Like other Coelioxys, females possess a distinctive pointed abdomen adapted for inserting eggs into host nests.
Coelioxys obtusiventris
Coelioxys obtusiventris is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a cleptoparasite that exploits the nests of leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.). The female lays her egg in the host's provisioned nest cell, and her larva kills the host egg or larva before consuming the stored pollen and nectar. This species occurs in North America and is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Coelioxys worldwide.
cleptoparasitecuckoo-beeleafcutter-bee-parasiteMegachilidaesolitary-beeNorth-Americabee-hotel-inhabitantHymenopteraApoideaCoelioxysMegachile-parasitenest-parasitepollinator-parasite1914-descriptionCrawfordendoparasitoidbee-biologynative-beewild-beegarden-beeartificial-nest-userbee-conservation-indicatorCoelioxys octodentatus
Eight-toothed Cuckoo Leaf-cutter Bee
Coelioxys octodentatus is a kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Eight-toothed Cuckoo Leaf-cutter Bee. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, it parasitizes nests of leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.) rather than constructing its own. Females deposit eggs into host nest cells, and their larvae eliminate the host egg or larva before consuming the pollen provisions. The species occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Middle America.
Coelioxys rufitarsis
red-legged cuckoo leafcutter bee, red-footed cuckoo leafcutter
Coelioxys rufitarsis is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the red-legged cuckoo leafcutter bee. Native to North America, this species does not construct its own nests but instead parasitizes the nests of other megachilid bees, particularly leafcutter bees in the genus Megachile. Females deposit eggs in host nest cells, and their larvae kill the host egg or larva before consuming the pollen provisions intended for the host offspring.
Coelioxys sayi
Say's Cuckoo Leafcutter Bee
Coelioxys sayi is a species of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as Say's Cuckoo Leafcutter Bee. As a member of the sharp-tailed bee genus Coelioxys, this species does not construct its own nests but instead parasitizes the nests of other solitary bees, particularly leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.). Females possess a pointed abdomen adapted for inserting eggs into host nest cells. The species occurs in North America and is active during the summer months when host species are nesting.
Coelioxys slossoni
Sharp-tailed Bee, Cuckoo Leafcutting Bee
Coelioxys slossoni is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Viereck in 1902. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a kleptoparasite that targets leafcutting bees (Megachile spp.). Females deposit their eggs into the provisioned nest cells of host bees, where their larvae consume the host's pollen stores and eliminate the host offspring. The species occurs in North and Middle America and includes two recognized subspecies: C. s. slossoni and C. s. arenicola.
Coelioxys slossoni arenicola
Coelioxys slossoni arenicola is a subspecies of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Crawford in 1914. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, this subspecies is a brood parasite (cuckoo bee) that exploits the nest provisions of host bees rather than constructing its own nests. The subspecies epithet 'arenicola' suggests an association with sandy habitats. It occurs in Middle America and North America based on distribution records.
Coelioxys texanus
Coelioxys texanus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cresson in 1872. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, this species is a cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily targeting leafcutter bees (Megachile species). The specific epithet "texanus" indicates a Texas association, likely reflecting the type locality or early collection records from that region. Like other Coelioxys species, females possess a pointed, conical abdomen adapted for inserting eggs into host nest cells.
Dianthidium
Pebble bees, resin bees
Dianthidium is a genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as pebble bees or resin bees. The genus comprises at least 20 described species in North America. These bees are distinguished by their use of plant resins in nest construction, gathering resins from various plant sources to build and seal their nest cells. They are cavity-nesting bees that utilize pre-existing hollows such as beetle borings in dead wood or hollow twigs. Dianthidium species are important pollinators and serve as hosts for parasitic wasps in the family Leucospidae.
Dianthidium arizonicum
Arizona Pebble Bee
Dianthidium arizonicum is a species of resin bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Rohwer in 1916. It is native to the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona. Like other members of the genus Dianthidium, it is a solitary bee that constructs nests using plant resins. The species has been documented nesting in artificial bee blocks, indicating adaptability to human-provided nesting structures.
Dianthidium curvatum
Curved Pebble Bee
Dianthidium curvatum is a species of solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Curved Pebble Bee. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus of bees that construct nests using resin and pebbles. Like other members of the genus Dianthidium, it is a cavity-nesting bee that provisions its nests with pollen and nectar. The species has been documented in bee block observations, indicating its use of artificial nesting substrates.
Dianthidium curvatum curvatum
A subspecies of resin bee in the family Megachilidae, Dianthidium curvatum curvatum belongs to a genus of solitary bees known for constructing nests using plant resins. The species epithet "curvatum" refers to a curved structural feature, likely of the mandible or other mouthpart. As with other Dianthidium species, this bee is a cavity nester that provisions its cells with pollen and nectar.
Dianthidium curvatum sayi
Dianthidium curvatum sayi is a subspecies of resin bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Cockerell in 1907. As a member of the genus Dianthidium, it belongs to a group of bees known for constructing nests using plant resins and other materials rather than cutting leaves like their relatives in the genus Anthidium. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within the broader species D. curvatum.
Dianthidium pudicum consimile
Dianthidium pudicum consimile is a subspecies of resin bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Ashmead in 1896. As a member of the genus Dianthidium, it is part of a group of solitary bees known for constructing nest partitions and plugs from plant resins. The subspecies occurs in Middle and North America, though specific details about its biology and distribution remain limited in available sources.
Dianthidium texanum
Texas Pebble Bee
Dianthidium texanum is a species of resin bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Texas Pebble Bee. Native to North and Middle America, this solitary bee constructs nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs or beetle borings, using resin to partition cells and seal the nest entrance. The species has been documented in bee block monitoring studies and is known to be parasitized by leucospid wasps. Adults are active during summer months and visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Dioxyini
cuckoo bees
Dioxyini is a tribe of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bees in the family Megachilidae, comprising eight genera and approximately 36 species globally. European representatives include ten species across five genera (Aglaoapis, Dioxys, Ensliniana, Metadioxys, Paradioxys), with two species widespread across the continent and others restricted to southern Europe. These bees do not construct nests or collect pollen, instead exploiting the nest provisions of host bees.
Dioxys
Dioxys is a genus of parasitic bees in the family Megachilidae, tribe Dioxyini. These bees are characterized by distinctive morphological features including a median tubercle on the metanotum and an extremely reduced, non-functional sting. The genus contains approximately 13 recognized species in the West Palaearctic region, with a taxonomic revision published in 2024 resolving several long-standing species-level issues. Dioxys species are distributed across the Mediterranean basin, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Canary Islands, with varying geographic ranges and habitat preferences.
Dioxys productus
Dioxys productus is a species of solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, tribe Dioxyini. The species was described by Cresson in 1879 and is known from North America and Middle America. Members of the genus Dioxys are cleptoparasitic bees that lay their eggs in the nests of other megachilid bees.
Heriades
Armored Resin bees
Heriades is a genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, comprising more than 130 species worldwide. These small, typically black bees are notable for nesting in pre-existing wood cavities and using plant resin to construct and seal nest cells. The genus spans eight subgenera with distributions across all continents; in North America, roughly 25 species occur, though only three are native east of the Rocky Mountains. Several species, particularly Heriades truncorum, serve as important research models for studying bee sexual communication, urban ecology, and pesticide effects.
Heriades carinata
Carinate Sculptured Mason Bee, Carinate Armored-Resin bee
Heriades carinata is a small solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae. It is a twig-nesting species that uses pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or beetle borings in dead wood. The female constructs nest cells separated by partitions of plant resin, earning it the common name 'Armored-Resin bee.' It has been recorded as the first gynandromorph in its genus. The species occurs across the United States and southern Canada.
Heriades leavitti
Leavitt's Armored-Resin bee
Heriades leavitti is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, subgenus Neotrypetes, described by Crawford in 1913. It belongs to a genus of armored-resin bees known for nesting in pre-existing cavities and sealing nest entrances with plant resin. The species is distributed in the Neotropical region and North America, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Hoplitis
Small Mason Bees
Hoplitis is a large genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, tribe Osmiini, comprising over 380 described species distributed primarily across the Palaearctic region. These bees are commonly known as small mason bees and exhibit diverse nesting strategies including burrows in soil, pre-existing cavities in wood or stone, and insect borings in dead wood. Many species are pollen specialists (oligolectic), with documented associations to specific plant genera including Allium, Reseda, Astragalus, Onosma, and others. The genus demonstrates remarkable biogeographic patterns, including disjunct distributions spanning thousands of kilometers between European and Central Asian populations.
Hoplitis albifrons
White-fronted Small-Mason
Hoplitis albifrons is a solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae, tribe Osmiini. It is native to North America, with documented records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a member of the osmiine bees, it likely constructs nests in pre-existing cavities and uses mud or other materials to partition brood cells, though specific natural history details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Hoplitis albifrons argentifrons
Silver-fronted Small-Mason
Hoplitis albifrons argentifrons is a subspecies of mason bee in the family Megachilidae, native to North America. As a member of the osmiine bees, it is a solitary species that constructs nests in pre-existing cavities. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader H. albifrons species complex. Like other Hoplitis species, it contributes to pollination services in its native range.
Hoplitis albifrons maura
Pacific Black Small-Mason
Hoplitis albifrons maura is a subspecies of mason bee in the family Megachilidae, native to western North America. It belongs to a group of solitary bees known for nesting in pre-existing cavities and constructing brood cells from collected materials. As a member of the osmiine bees, it contributes to pollination services in its native range. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader H. albifrons species complex.
Hoplitis bullifacies
Hoplitis bullifacies is a species of solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Michener in 1947. It belongs to the diverse genus Hoplitis, which comprises numerous small to medium-sized mason bees native to the Northern Hemisphere. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published literature.