Polylectic
Guides
Colletes inaequalis
Unequal Cellophane Bee, Plasterer Bee, Polyester Bee
Colletes inaequalis is a univoltine, ground-nesting solitary bee and one of the earliest pollinators to emerge in North American spring. Males emerge approximately two weeks before females and patrol nesting sites seeking mates. Females construct individual underground burrows in sandy soils, lining brood cells with a polyester secretion from abdominal glands that creates a waterproof, cellophane-like coating. The species exhibits strong site fidelity, with offspring often nesting near parental aggregation sites. It is polylectic, visiting early spring flowering trees including Eastern Redbud, maple, willow, and apple.
Hylaeus communis
Common Masked Bee
Hylaeus communis is a small, nearly hairless solitary bee native to the Palearctic region and recently introduced to North America. It is one of the most common and adaptable species in its genus, exhibiting extreme generalism in habitat use and floral visitation. Females transport nectar and pollen internally in a crop, rather than on body hairs, and nest in pre-existing cavities. The species is partially bivoltine with flight activity from late May through September.
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.
Megachile campanulae
Bellflower Resin Bee
Megachile campanulae, commonly known as the bellflower resin bee, is a solitary mason bee native to eastern North America. Described in 1903, this species belongs to the subgenus Chelostomoides, distinguishing it from leafcutting relatives by its use of plant resins, mud, and pebbles rather than cut leaves for nest construction. In 2013, researchers documented this species as one of the first insects known to incorporate synthetic materials, including polyurethane-based sealants, into nest construction. The species is an important pollinator of native plants and is nonaggressive toward humans.
Nomiinae
Nomiine bees
Nomiinae is a subfamily of sweat bees (Halictidae) comprising approximately 11 genera and at least 550 described species. These bees are morphologically diverse, particularly in males, which often exhibit modified hind legs and metasomal sterna. The subfamily has a global distribution with significant diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Nomiine bees are ground-nesting pollinators, with documented nesting biology in several genera including Nomia, Dieunomia, and Hoplonomia. They exhibit varied social systems ranging from solitary to communal nesting.
Protosmia
Protosmia is a genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, tribe Osmiini, containing over 30 described species. The genus includes several subgenera, notably Chelostomopsis and Nanosmia. Species within the subgenus Chelostomopsis are broad pollen generalists that nest in preexisting cavities in dead wood or pine cones, using pure resin to construct nest partitions. The genus has a primarily Palaearctic distribution with some species extending into the Nearctic region.