Solitary-bee
Guides
Andrena sphaeralceae
Globemallow Andrena
Andrena sphaeralceae, commonly known as the Globemallow Andrena, is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is a solitary bee that excavates underground nests in soil. The species is found in North America and Central America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it contributes to spring pollination of wildflowers. The specific epithet 'sphaeralceae' suggests a likely association with plants in the genus Sphaeralcea (globemallows), though this host relationship requires confirmation.
Andrena submoesta
Submoesta Mining Bee
Andrena submoesta is a mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, described by Viereck in 1917. As a solitary bee, it excavates underground tunnels for nesting. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its ecology and distribution within that range remain limited. Like other Andrena species, it likely contributes to spring pollination of wildflowers.
Andrena transnigra
Black-banded Mining Bee, Black-banded Miner Bee
Andrena transnigra is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Black-banded Mining Bee. It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee native to North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it shares the typical characteristics of mining bees, including fossorial nesting habits and solitary lifestyle without colonial social structure.
Andrena vicina
Neighbouring miner bee, Neighborly Mining Bee
Andrena vicina is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the neighbourly miner or neighborly mining bee. It is native to North America and exhibits the typical ground-nesting behavior of the genus Andrena, excavating tunnels in soil to provision brood cells with pollen and nectar. Like other Andrena species, it is an important spring pollinator, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Andrena violae
Violet Miner
Andrena violae is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Robertson in 1891. It is native to North America with confirmed records from Vermont and surrounding regions. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the fossorial nesting behavior typical of the group, excavating underground tunnels in which to rear its young. The species is known to forage on violet (Viola) species, as indicated by its specific epithet.
Andrena vulpicolor
Andrena vulpicolor is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1897. It belongs to the large genus Andrena, which contains over 250 species of solitary, ground-nesting bees. Like other members of this genus, it is a solitary bee that nests in soil and provisions its young with pollen. The species is native to North America.
Andrena wilkella
Wilke's Mining Bee, Wilke's Mining-bee
Andrena wilkella is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America, possibly via ship ballast. It is active from April to August and nests both singly and in aggregations. The species shows strong pollen specialization on Fabaceae, particularly clover and sweet clover.
Andrena ziziae
Golden-Alexanders Mining Bee, Golden Alexanders Miner Bee
Andrena ziziae is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Golden-Alexanders Mining Bee. It is native to North America and belongs to the large genus Andrena, which comprises over 1,500 species of ground-nesting bees. The species is named for its association with golden alexanders (Zizia aurea), a spring-blooming wildflower in the carrot family. Like other Andrena species, it is a solitary bee that nests in burrows excavated in soil and plays a role in early-season pollination.
Anthemurgus passiflorae
passion flower bee
A small solitary bee in the family Andrenidae, Anthemurgus passiflorae is a monolectic specialist that forages exclusively on yellow passionflower (Passiflora lutea). It is one of the few andrenid bees with a published chromosome-level genome assembly, making it valuable for studying the genomic basis of host-plant specialization and pollinator conservation.
Anthidiellum notatum
Northern Rotund-Resin Bee
Anthidiellum notatum, commonly known as the northern rotund-resin bee, is a solitary bee in the family Megachilidae. It is distributed across North America, with five recognized subspecies showing regional variation. As a member of the tribe Anthidiini, it belongs to a group commonly called resin bees for their use of plant resins in nest construction.
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.
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 emarginatum
Emarginated Carder Bee
Anthidium emarginatum is a species of solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Emarginated Carder Bee. First described by Thomas Say in 1824, this species belongs to the genus Anthidium, which includes bees known for collecting plant fibers (carding) to line their nest cells. The species is native to North America.
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 maculosum
Spotted Woolcarder
Anthidium maculosum is a solitary carder bee in the family Megachilidae, notable for its unusual sexual dimorphism where males are significantly larger than females—a reversal of the typical bee pattern. Males establish and defend territories around flowering patches of Monarda mint, while females practice polyandry, mating multiple times to gain access to guarded resources. The species ranges from the Pacific Northwest through Mexico to Honduras.
Anthidium manicatum
European wool carder bee, wool carder bee
Anthidium manicatum, the European wool carder bee, is a solitary, cavity-nesting bee in the family Megachilidae. Females collect plant trichomes (hairs) from leaves such as lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina) to line nest cells, giving the species its common name. Males are highly territorial, defending patches of flowering plants against conspecific males and other pollinators. The species exhibits unusual sexual dimorphism: males are larger than females, contrary to most solitary bees. Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, it has become a widespread invasive species across North America, South America, New Zealand, and the Canary Islands after accidental introduction.
Anthidium oblongatum
oblong woolcarder bee
Anthidium oblongatum is a solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the oblong woolcarder bee. Native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has been introduced to North America and South America, with a first record in central Chile documented in 2025. Females construct nests using plant fibers collected from leaves, earning the 'woolcarder' common name. The species shows strong floral specialization, primarily foraging on Fabaceae, Crassulaceae, and Resedaceae.
Anthophora
Common Digger Bees, Digger Bees
Anthophora is a large genus of solitary bees in the family Apidae, comprising over 450 species across 14 subgenera. These bees are most diverse in the Holarctic and African biogeographic regions. All species are solitary, though many nest in large aggregations. Nearly all species excavate nests in soil, either in banks or flat ground, with larvae developing in waterproof-lined cells without cocoons. Some species, notably Anthophora bomboides, are bumble bee mimics and construct distinctive turret-like nest entrances.
Anthophora abrupta
Abrupt Digger Bee
Anthophora abrupta is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. It is known for nesting gregariously, where females are attracted to existing nest sites through visual cues and pheromones. The species has been observed using root plates in forested habitats as nesting substrates. Females mate once, while males are capable of multiple matings.
Anthophora bomboides
Bumble-bee-mimic anthophora, Bumblebee-like Digger Bee, Stanford bumble bee digger
Anthophora bomboides is a solitary ground-nesting bee native to North America. Females construct distinctive turreted nests in sandy substrates, particularly coastal sand cliffs. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of bumblebees, specifically resembling Bombus vosnesenskii in coloration. Research has documented unique microbial symbioses, with bacteria and fungi proliferating during larval diapause and potentially enhancing overwintering survival.
Anthophora californica
California Digger Bee, California Anthophora
Anthophora californica is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, found in Central America and North America. The species was described by Cresson in 1869 and includes two recognized subspecies: A. c. albomarginata and A. c. californica. As a member of the genus Anthophora, it exhibits ground-nesting behavior typical of digger bees. The species is part of the diverse native bee fauna of western North America.
Anthophora capistrata
Anthophora capistrata is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, described by Cresson in 1879. It belongs to a genus of ground-nesting bees that excavate burrows in soil or sand. The species is recorded from Middle America and North America. Like other Anthophora species, it is likely a generalist forager on floral resources, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Anthophora crotchii
Anthophora crotchii is a species of digger bee in the family Apidae, first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1879 and named after entomologist George Robert Crotch. It belongs to the genus Anthophora, a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly known as digger bees. The species occurs in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is expected to be a solitary bee that excavates nests in soil, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Anthophora edwardsii
Edwards' anthophora
Anthophora edwardsii, commonly known as Edwards' anthophora, is a solitary digger bee native to western North America. Adults measure 12–18 mm in length and exhibit sexual dimorphism in facial coloration. The species is an important pollinator, with documented associations to manzanita flowers. Like other members of the genus Anthophora, it nests in the ground and is active during spring.
Anthophora hololeuca
Anthophora hololeuca is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1923. Like other members of the genus Anthophora, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates burrows in soil or sand substrates. The species occurs in North America and Middle America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as Anthophora bomboides.
Anthophora mortuaria
Anthophora mortuaria is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, described by Timberlake in 1937. As a member of the genus Anthophora, it shares characteristics with other digger bees that nest in soil or sandy substrates. The species is accepted in taxonomic databases but has minimal published biological information available. Its specific epithet "mortuaria" (Latin for "of the dead" or "funeral") suggests possible association with particular habitats or behaviors, though this has not been documented in accessible literature.
Anthophora pacifica
Pacific Digger Bee
Anthophora pacifica is a solitary, ground-nesting digger bee native to western North America. Females excavate burrows in soil to construct individual nests provisioned with pollen and nectar. The species serves as the primary host for the cleptoparasitic bee Melecta pacifica fulvida, which invades its nests to lay eggs. A. pacifica is part of the diverse Anthophora genus, which includes other notable digger bees such as the bumble bee-mimic A. bomboides stanfordiana.
Anthophora phaceliae
Anthophora phaceliae is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, described by Brooks in 1988. The species epithet "phaceliae" suggests a likely association with Phacelia flowers. Like other members of the genus Anthophora, it is presumed to nest in the ground. Available information is limited; the species has been recorded in Middle America and North America with minimal observational data.
Anthophora pueblo
Pueblo Sandstone-digger Bee
Anthophora pueblo is a solitary digger bee species in the family Apidae, described by Orr in 2016. The species belongs to a genus known for ground-nesting behavior, with many Anthophora species constructing nests in soil or sandstone substrates. The common name "Pueblo Sandstone-digger Bee" suggests an association with sandstone geological formations. As a member of the tribe Anthophorini, it shares characteristics with other digger bees that excavate burrows for brood rearing.
Anthophora terminalis
Orange-tipped Wood-digger
Anthophora terminalis is a solitary anthophorine bee in the family Apidae, known for its distinctive nesting behavior in wood and other substrates. The species constructs cells using chewed sawdust or wood fibers, lining them with salivary secretions. It has been documented across North America and parts of Europe and Northern Asia, with specific studies in Wisconsin revealing details of its univoltine life cycle and nest architecture. Adults have been observed foraging on several plant species including Stachys palustris, Nepeta cataria, and Epilobium angustifolium.
Anthophora urbana
Urbane Digger Bee
Anthophora urbana is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the Urbane Digger Bee. It is native to Central America and North America, with a broad distribution that includes arid regions such as the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. The species is a floral generalist, collecting pollen and nectar from diverse plant species. A. urbana is notable for being proposed as a candidate for California's state bee due to its widespread presence and representation of solitary native bees.
Anthophora ursina
Anthophora ursina is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. As a member of the genus Anthophora, it is part of a group of ground-nesting bees commonly known as digger bees. The species was described by Cresson in 1869.
Anthophora villosula
Asian Shaggy Digger Bee
Anthophora villosula is a solitary digger bee native to Asia that was introduced to North America in 1988. The species has established populations in Maryland and is undergoing ongoing distribution expansion across the United States. As an exotic bee introduced for crop pollination, it has received limited research attention despite its potential ecological impacts on native bee and floral communities.
Anthophora walshii
Walsh's anthophora
Anthophora walshii is a species of anthophorine bee in the family Apidae. It is found in North America. Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in size, with males generally larger than females. Males can reach up to 16 mm in length with an abdomen breadth of 6 mm, while females grow to approximately 14 mm in length with an abdomen breadth of 5 mm. The species is part of the diverse Anthophora genus, which includes many digger bee species.
Anthophorula chionura
Anthophorula chionura is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae. It constructs vertical burrows in sandy soil with lateral brood cells, which females provision with a mixture of pollen and nectar. The species exhibits nest aggregation behavior in favorable sites. Formerly classified under Exomalopsis, it was reassigned to Anthophorula based on morphological and biological characteristics.
Anthophorula completa
Anthophorula completa is a small bee species in the family Apidae, tribe Exomalopsini. It occurs in both Central and North America. The species was originally described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1935 as a subspecies of Exomalopsis compactula before being elevated to species status. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary bee.
Anthophorula nitens
Shining Mini-Digger
Anthophorula nitens is a small bee species in the family Apidae, tribe Exomalopsini, commonly known as the Shining Mini-Digger. It was first described by Cockerell in 1915 under the basionym Exomalopsis nitens. The species is native to North America and belongs to a genus of solitary bees that are typically associated with ground-nesting habits. Like other members of Exomalopsini, it likely exhibits specialized pollen-collecting structures and solitary reproductive behavior.
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 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.
Augochlora aurifera
Auriferous Green Sweat Bee
Augochlora aurifera is a metallic green sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Cockerell in 1897. As a member of the tribe Augochlorini, it exhibits the characteristic bright metallic coloration common to this group. The species is distributed across North America and Middle America. Like other Augochlora species, it is presumed to be solitary or primitively social, though specific behavioral details for A. aurifera remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as Augochlora pura.
Augochlora azteca
Aztec Sweat Bee, Aztec augochlora
Augochlora azteca, commonly known as the Aztec Sweat Bee, is a solitary bee species in the family Halictidae. It belongs to the tribe Augochlorini, a group of metallic green sweat bees that are frequently encountered on flowers. The species is distributed across Middle America and North America, where it contributes to pollination services in both natural and managed landscapes. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits solitary nesting behavior.
Augochlora pura
Pure Green Sweat Bee, Pure Gold-Green Sweat Bee
A solitary sweat bee in the family Halictidae, native to eastern North America. Adults are typically 8 mm long with bright metallic green coloration, though Florida populations exhibit deep blue metallic coloration. The species nests exclusively in rotting wood, utilizing pre-existing insect burrows to construct brood cells lined with a waxy secretion from the Dufour's gland. Unlike many halictids, A. pura has secondarily lost social behavior; females are solitary nesters with no worker caste, though multiple females may aggregate during overwintering or when nesting near deceased mothers.
Augochlora pura mosieri
Augochlora pura mosieri is a subspecies of the solitary sweat bee Augochlora pura, described by Cockerell in 1922. As a member of the Halictidae family, it exhibits the metallic green coloration typical of the Augochlorini tribe. Like other Augochlora pura populations, it is solitary, nesting in rotting wood galleries rather than soil. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species range in eastern North America.
Augochlorella neglectula
sweat bee
Augochlorella neglectula is a metallic green sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is one of sixteen recognized species in the genus Augochlorella, which is distributed across the New World. The species exhibits the bright metallic coloration typical of the tribe Augochlorini, making it visually similar to congeners and other augochlorine bees. Subspecific variation includes the coastal form A. neglectula maritima, though this has been synonymized with the nominate subspecies in some treatments.
Augochlorella nigrocyanea
Augochlorella nigrocyanea is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, tribe Augochlorini. The genus Augochlorella contains several species of small, metallic bees that are difficult to distinguish from related genera Augochlora and Augochloropsis without microscopic examination. Members of this genus are known for their bright metallic green, blue-green, or occasionally brassy coloration. Some Augochlorella species exhibit communal nesting or primitively social behavior, with multiple females sharing nest entrances.
Augochloropsis anonyma
sweat bee
Augochloropsis anonyma is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to the tribe Augochlorini, a group of metallic green bees that are frequently mistaken for cuckoo wasps due to their similar appearance. The species was described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1922. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary bee that nests in soil or rotting wood.
Augochloropsis viridula
Northeastern Sweat Bee
Augochloropsis viridula, commonly known as the northeastern sweat bee, is a metallic green bee in the family Halictidae. The species was first described by Frederick Smith in 1853, then treated as a subspecies of A. metallica, but was reinstated as a full species in 2022 based on taxonomic research. It is found in the midwestern United States and Canada. Like other halictids, it is a solitary bee that nests in soil.