Sleeping-aggregation
Guides
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 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 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 tepidus
Long-horned bee
Melissodes tepidus is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, native to North and Central America. Like other members of the genus Melissodes, males exhibit distinctive sleeping aggregations on vegetation at night while females nest solitarily in the ground. The species contributes to pollination of various flowering plants. It is one of more than 1600 native bee species recorded in California alone.
Svastra sabinensis sabinensis
A subspecies of long-horned bee in the tribe Eucerini. Females are solitary ground-nesters that construct individual burrows. Males have been observed forming sleeping aggregations on vegetation at night. The subspecies occurs in parts of Middle and North America.