Pollinator
Guides
Hylaeus affinis
eastern masked bee
Hylaeus affinis, commonly known as the eastern masked bee, is a small solitary bee in the family Colletidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the genus Hylaeus, whose members are often called masked bees or yellow-faced bees due to their distinctive facial markings. Like other Hylaeus species, it is nearly hairless and resembles small wasps in appearance. The species nests in pre-existing cavities and transports pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus episcopalis coquilletti
Hylaeus episcopalis coquilletti is a subspecies of yellow-faced bee in the family Colletidae. As with other members of the genus Hylaeus, this bee is nearly hairless and wasp-like in appearance, lacking the dense hair typical of most bees. Females have distinctive yellow or white markings on the inner margin of each eye, while males have the entire face colored yellow or white. These solitary bees nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or twigs, lining cells with a natural polymer secretion. The subspecies epithet "coquilletti" honors the entomologist James Charles Coquillett.
Hylaeus euxanthus
Yellow-collared Masked Bee
A small, nearly hairless bee in the family Colletidae, native to Australia and introduced to Argentina. First described by Cockerell in 1910, it was originally named Prosopis xanthopoda but renamed due to preoccupation. It belongs to the subgenus Gnathoprosopis and exhibits typical masked bee characteristics including reduced pilosity and internal pollen transport.
Hylaeus hyalinatus
Hairy masked bee
Hylaeus hyalinatus is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae. It is native to Europe, including Great Britain, and has been introduced to North America where it is considered invasive. Like other members of genus Hylaeus, it is nearly hairless and wasp-like in appearance, with females transporting pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus leptocephalus
Slender-faced Masked Bee
Hylaeus leptocephalus is a small solitary bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the Slender-faced Masked Bee. Native to the Palearctic region, it has been established in North America since 1912. Like other masked bees, it is nearly hairless and transports pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs. The species nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems and twigs.
Hylaeus mesillae
Mesilla Masked Bee
Hylaeus mesillae, commonly known as the Mesilla Masked Bee, is a solitary bee species in the family Colletidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is nearly hairless and often mistaken for small wasps. The species was first described by Cockerell in 1896 and includes three recognized subspecies.
Hylaeus mesillae cressoni
Cresson's Masked Bee
Hylaeus mesillae cressoni is a subspecies of masked bee in the family Colletidae. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is nearly hairless and often mistaken for a small wasp. The species is distributed in North America and Middle America. As a solitary bee, each female constructs her own nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or twigs.
Hylaeus modestus citrinifrons
Modest masked bee
Hylaeus modestus citrinifrons is a subspecies of the modest masked bee, a small, nearly hairless solitary bee in the family Colletidae. It is part of a genus commonly known as yellow-faced or masked bees due to distinctive facial markings. The species H. modestus has been documented visiting flowers in garden and agricultural settings. Like other Hylaeus, it is a cavity-nesting bee that uses pre-existing hollow stems or twigs rather than excavating its own burrows.
Hylaeus modestus modestus
modest masked bee, yellow-faced bee
Hylaeus modestus modestus is a subspecies of the modest masked bee, a small, nearly hairless solitary bee in the family Colletidae. Like other Hylaeus species, it lacks scopal hairs for pollen transport and instead carries nectar and pollen internally in a crop, regurgitating food stores at the nest. The subspecies has been recorded in Canada and the United States, including a notable gynandromorph specimen from Ontario. It is one of approximately 50 Hylaeus species in North America and belongs to the subgenus Prosopis.
Hylaeus ornatus
Ornate Masked Bee
Hylaeus ornatus, commonly known as the ornate masked bee, is a species of solitary bee in the family Colletidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the genus Hylaeus, commonly called masked bees or yellow-faced bees due to their distinctive pale facial markings. Like other members of its genus, it is nearly hairless and carries pollen internally rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus polifolii
Buckwheat Masked Bee
Hylaeus polifolii is a solitary bee species in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the buckwheat masked bee. It is native to North America and belongs to the genus Hylaeus, a group of nearly hairless bees often mistaken for wasps due to their slender appearance. The species has two recognized subspecies: H. p. catalinensis and H. p. polifolii. Like other masked bees, females transport pollen and nectar internally in a crop rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus schwarzii
Schwarz's Masked Bee
Hylaeus schwarzii is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is a solitary, nearly hairless bee that superficially resembles small wasps. The species was described by Cockerell in 1896 and is one of approximately 50 Hylaeus species occurring in North America. Very little species-specific information is documented for H. schwarzii; most knowledge of its biology is inferred from the broader genus.
Hyles gallii
Bedstraw Hawkmoth, Galium Sphinx
Hyles gallii is a sphinx moth (Sphingidae) commonly known as the Bedstraw Hawkmoth or Galium Sphinx. It is a medium-sized hawkmoth with a wingspan typically ranging 50-70 mm. The species is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Eurasia. Adults are known for their rapid, hovering flight and are primarily crepuscular or nocturnal, though they may be active during daylight hours. The larvae feed primarily on plants in the genus Galium (bedstraws), giving the species its common name.
Hyles lineata
white-lined sphinx, hummingbird moth
Hyles lineata is a large, abundant sphinx moth native to North and Central America, recognized for its distinctive hovering flight and striking wing pattern. Adults display a 2–3 inch wingspan with dark brown forewings marked by white longitudinal lines and black hindwings bearing a broad pink median band. The species exhibits unusual flexibility in activity patterns, flying at dusk, dawn, and occasionally during daylight hours to feed on nectar. Caterpillars show extreme color polymorphism, ranging from black with orange spots to lime green with black markings, and possess a characteristic posterior horn. This generalist feeder has been documented on over a dozen plant families and serves as a significant pollinator and occasional agricultural pest.
Hymenoptera
Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Sawflies
Hymenoptera is one of the largest and most diverse orders of insects, comprising sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. Over 150,000 living species have been described, with more than 2,000 extinct species known from fossils. The order is characterized by haplodiploid sex determination, where females develop from fertilized diploid eggs and males from unfertilized haploid eggs. Hymenopterans exhibit a wide range of lifestyles from solitary to highly eusocial, and include major pollinators, predators, and parasitoids. Molecular analysis places Hymenoptera as the earliest branching group of Holometabola, with origins in the Triassic period.
Insecta
Insects
Insects constitute the largest and most diverse class of arthropods, comprising more than one million described species with estimates of total species ranging from 2 to 30 million. They are characterized by a three-part body plan (head, thorax, abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and one pair of antennae. Insects occupy virtually every terrestrial and freshwater habitat, and many have colonized marine environments. Their ecological dominance stems from extraordinary diversity in form, function, and life history strategies.
Isodontia
Grass-carrying Wasps, Grass-carrier Wasps
Isodontia is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as grass-carrying wasps. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, window tracks, or abandoned beetle tunnels, lining them with dry grass or hay. They provision nests with paralyzed Orthoptera (tree crickets and katydids) as food for their larvae. Several species are invasive in Europe, with Isodontia mexicana being the most widespread non-native species.
Isodontia mexicana
Mexican Grass-carrying Wasp, Grass-carrying Wasp
Isodontia mexicana is a solitary sphecid wasp native to North America that has become a successful invasive species in Europe since the 1960s. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, abandoned beetle tunnels, or even window tracks, lining them with grass fragments. They provision nests with paralyzed orthopteran prey—primarily small katydids (Tettigoniidae) and tree crickets (Gryllidae, particularly Oecanthinae)—to feed their larvae. The species is notable for its splayed wing posture at rest and has been observed visiting diverse flowering plants for nectar.
Isodontia philadelphica
Grass-carrying Wasp
Isodontia philadelphica is a solitary wasp in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as a grass-carrying wasp. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, abandoned insect burrows, or window tracks, using dry grass to partition cells and plug entrances. They provision nests with paralyzed tree crickets and katydids as food for their larvae. The species occurs in North America and is not aggressive toward humans.
Isognathus rimosa
Rimosus Sphinx
Isognathus rimosa, commonly known as the Rimosus Sphinx, is a hawk moth (Sphingidae) first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1865. The species occurs across tropical and subtropical regions from northern Brazil through Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico to southern Arizona. Adults have a wingspan of 70–102 mm and feed on flower nectar, including petunias. Larvae specialize on Plumeria species.
Judolia cordifera
Chestnut Longhorn Beetle
Judolia cordifera is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Olivier in 1795. It belongs to the subfamily Lepturinae, a group commonly known as flower longhorns due to their frequent association with blossoms. The species has been recorded in northeastern North America including Québec, Vermont, and surrounding regions. It has been observed on flowers during summer months, where adults feed on nectar and pollen.
Junonia coenia
Common Buckeye, Buckeye
Junonia coenia, commonly known as the common buckeye, is a distinctive butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is widely distributed across North America, Central America, and parts of northern South America. The species is known for its prominent eyespots on the wings and its migratory behavior, moving south in autumn to escape cold temperatures. Adults feed preferentially on yellow flowers, while larvae specialize on plants containing iridoid glycosides.
Lasioglossum actinosum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum actinosum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, one of over 1,700 species in the genus Lasioglossum. Like other halictids, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species was described by Sandhouse in 1924 and occurs in North America. Members of this genus are frequently encountered in bee monitoring studies using bowl traps, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Lasioglossum admirandum
Admirable Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum admirandum is a small sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, one of 84 metallic Dialictus species revised for Canada. Originally described by Sandhouse in 1924, it was synonymized with D. perspicuus before being restored as the senior synonym. Like other Dialictus, it belongs to the most commonly collected bee group in North America and exhibits diverse social systems. The species is part of the largest bee genus globally, with over 1,700 Lasioglossum species worldwide.
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 bruneri
Bruner's Sweat Bee, Bruner's Dialictus
Lasioglossum bruneri is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as Bruner's sweat bee or Bruner's dialictus. It belongs to the large genus Lasioglossum, which is among the most diverse bee genera globally. The species is native to North America, with documented occurrences in the northeastern United States including Vermont. Like other halictid bees, it is a wild pollinator that contributes to ecosystem function, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Lasioglossum cattellae
A small metallic sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, originally described from the eastern United States. The species was previously known under the synonym Dialictus alternatus until synonymized by Gibbs (2010). Like other members of this large subgenus, it is a ground-nesting bee with likely solitary or weakly social behavior.
Lasioglossum coeruleum
Deep-blue Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum coeruleum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is commonly known as the Deep-blue Sweat Bee. The species was described by Robertson in 1893 and is native to North America.
Lasioglossum coreopsis
sweat bee
Lasioglossum coreopsis is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Robertson in 1902. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum, it belongs to the largest bee genus with over 1,700 species worldwide. The species is documented from the Caribbean and North America. Like other halictid bees, it likely exhibits solitary or semi-social nesting behavior in soil.
Lasioglossum coriaceum
Leathery Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum coriaceum, commonly known as the leathery sweat bee, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to one of the largest genera of bees, with over 1,700 described species. Like other Lasioglossum species, it is a ground-nesting bee. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a member of Halictidae, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic behavior of visiting flowers for pollen and nectar, and may be attracted to human perspiration for salts and minerals.
Lasioglossum cressonii
Cresson's Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum cressonii is a small, metallic sweat bee native to North America. The species exhibits eusocial colony organization with queens, workers, and reproductive broods. It is an important pollinator of native plants and agricultural crops, including apple trees. First described by Charles Robertson in 1890, this bee nests primarily in soil or wood in low-elevation areas.
Lasioglossum ephialtum
nightmare sweat bee
Lasioglossum ephialtum is a sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described as a new species in 2010 by Jason Gibbs. It belongs to the subgenus Dialictus, a diverse group of small bees commonly collected across North America. The species is known by the common name 'nightmare sweat bee.' As with other Dialictus species, it is likely a pollinator, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
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 imbrex
Lasioglossum imbrex is a small sweat bee species in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2010. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum, it belongs to the largest bee genus with over 1,700 species globally. The species is found in North America and Hawaii, where it contributes to pollination services in its native habitats. Like other halictid bees, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social species.
Lasioglossum laevissimum
Very Smooth Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum laevissimum is a small metallic sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, one of the most species-rich and taxonomically challenging groups of North American bees. The species was described by Smith in 1853 and has accumulated seven synonymies due to historical difficulties in distinguishing Dialictus species. It occurs in Canada and the northern United States, where it nests in soil and visits flowers for pollen and nectar. Like other Dialictus, it is likely a solitary or weakly social ground-nesting bee with females provisioning individual brood cells.
Lasioglossum leucocomum
Lasioglossum leucocomum is a small metallic sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, one of the largest and most taxonomically challenging bee genera in North America. The species was resurrected from synonymy in a 2010 revision of Canadian Dialictus, which recognized it as a valid species distinct from previously confused names. Like other Dialictus, it is a ground-nesting bee with variable social organization, ranging from solitary to small-colony sociality. The species contributes to pollination services in its native range.
Lasioglossum lionotum
smooth-backed sweat bee
Lasioglossum lionotum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Sandhouse in 1923. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small, ground-nesting bee. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont. As with most Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information specific to L. lionotum is limited.
Lasioglossum lustrans
Two-celled Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum lustrans is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1897. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum—one of the largest bee genera with over 1,700 species—it belongs to a group frequently encountered in bee surveys and monitoring studies. The species is known from North America and is referred to by the common name 'Two-celled Sweat Bee'. Like other halictids, it is a ground-nesting bee and contributes to pollination services in its habitat.
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 mellipes
sweat bee
Lasioglossum mellipes is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Crawford in 1907. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, which comprises over 1,700 species. Like other halictids, it is commonly encountered in bee monitoring studies using bowl traps, though such methods may not accurately represent its true abundance or ecological role.
Lasioglossum michiganense
Michigan sweat bee
Lasioglossum michiganense is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Mitchell in 1960. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small bee that may be attracted to human perspiration for the salts and minerals it contains. The species is part of the largest genus of bees, which includes over 1,700 species globally. Specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Lasioglossum nymphale
sweat bee
Lasioglossum nymphale is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Smith in 1853. As a member of the large genus Lasioglossum, it belongs to a group of small, often metallic bees commonly known as sweat bees due to their attraction to human perspiration. The species occurs in North America and shares the general biology of other Lasioglossum species, including ground-nesting behavior and solitary or semi-social nesting habits.
Lasioglossum oblongum
Oblong Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum oblongum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species. As a member of the subgenus Dialictus, it is one of many small, often metallic bees that are frequently encountered in bee surveys and monitoring efforts. The species is documented from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont.
Lasioglossum obscurum
Obscure Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum obscurum is a small solitary bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as sweat bees. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, which contains over 1,700 species. Like other Lasioglossum species, it is a ground-nesting bee that typically occurs in North American prairie and grassland habitats. The species was described by Robertson in 1892.
Lasioglossum oceanicum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum oceanicum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1916. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small bee with metallic coloration typical of many halictids. The species belongs to one of the most species-rich bee genera globally, with over 1,700 described species. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information for L. oceanicum specifically is limited in available literature.
Lasioglossum oenotherae
Evening Primrose Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum oenotherae is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the Evening Primrose Sweat Bee. The species is native to North America and has been documented in association with evening primrose (Oenothera) flowers, from which it derives its specific epithet. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a ground-nesting bee and contributes to pollination services in its native range.
Lasioglossum olympiae
Olympia Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum olympiae is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is a small, ground-nesting bee native to North America. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a generalist pollinator that visits a variety of flowering plants. The species is part of the largest genus of bees, which includes over 1,700 species globally.
Lasioglossum ovaliceps
Oval-headed Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum ovaliceps is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1898. It is native to North America and belongs to the largest genus of bees, which contains over 1,700 species. Like other members of its genus, it is a small, ground-nesting bee that visits flowers for pollen and nectar.