Solitary-bee
Guides
Calliopsis anomoptera
Strange-winged Calliopsis
Calliopsis anomoptera is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Michener in 1942. The common name 'Strange-winged Calliopsis' refers to distinctive wing characteristics. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee. The species occurs in both Central America and North America.
Calliopsis barbata
Calliopsis barbata is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Timberlake in 1952. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it belongs to a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly found in open, sandy habitats. The species occurs in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Calliopsis coloradensis
Colorado Calliopsis Bee
A small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to western North America. Females are solitary ground-nesters that provision burrows with pollen and nectar for their offspring. Males are often observed flying low over nesting aggregations in search of mates. The species is associated with sandy soils in prairie and open habitats.
Calliopsis filiorum
Calliopsis filiorum is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Rozen in 1963. The species belongs to the genus Calliopsis, a group of small to medium-sized ground-nesting bees. Like other members of Andrenidae, females construct solitary burrows in soil. The specific epithet "filiorum" (Latin for "of the daughters") presumably references an aspect of the species' biology or discovery context.
Calliopsis fracta
Calliopsis fracta is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, originally described as Nomadopsis fracta by Rozen in 1952. It belongs to the tribe Calliopsini within the subfamily Panurginae. The species is native to North America and is part of a diverse genus of solitary bees that nest in the ground.
Calliopsis helianthi
Calliopsis helianthi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is native to Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, this species nests in the ground and is solitary, with each female constructing and provisioning her own nest burrow.
Calliopsis hesperia
Calliopsis hesperia is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Swenk and Cockerell in 1907. The species is native to North America and belongs to a genus of small, ground-nesting bees commonly found in sandy soils. Two subspecies are recognized: C. h. hesperia and C. h. equina. As a member of the Panurginae subfamily, this bee is part of a diverse group of solitary bees that are important native pollinators.
Calliopsis linsleyi
Calliopsis linsleyi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Rozen in 1958. The species is known from both Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee that excavates burrows in soil. Information on this species is limited, with only a few observations recorded.
Calliopsis nebraskensis
Nebraska calliopsis
Calliopsis nebraskensis, the Nebraska calliopsis, is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is a ground-nesting solitary bee native to North America. The species was described by Crawford in 1902. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, it likely nests in sandy or loose soils.
Calliopsis obscurella
Calliopsis obscurella is a small mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cresson in 1879. It occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Calliopsis pugionis
Pugnosed Miner Bee
Calliopsis pugionis is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1925. It is found in North America, where it excavates burrows in sandy soil. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism with females larger than males, and has a female-biased investment sex ratio consistent with local mate competition theory. It serves as the host for the cleptoparasitic bee Holcopasites ruthae.
Calliopsis scitula
Charming Miner Bee
Calliopsis scitula is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the charming miner bee. The species occurs across Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: C. s. scitula and C. s. lawae. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, it is a small mining bee that constructs burrows in soil.
Calliopsis scutellaris
Calliopsis scutellaris is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Fowler in 1899. The species occurs in Central America and North America. It belongs to a genus of small to very small bees that typically nest in sandy soils.
Calliopsis subalpina
Calliopsis subalpina is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1894. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized solitary bees that nest in the ground. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records spanning from middle to high elevations. Like other Andrenidae, females construct individual burrows in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for their offspring.
Calliopsis zebrata
Streaked Miner Bee
Calliopsis zebrata, commonly known as the streaked miner bee, is a ground-nesting solitary bee in the family Andrenidae. It is notable among Calliopsis species for having relatively large males. The species inhabits sandy soils in plains and prairie environments and has been documented visiting flowers of White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida). It is found in North America, with observations from Colorado and other regions.
Calliopsis zonalis
Calliopsis zonalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cresson in 1879. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus of small, ground-nesting bees. Two subspecies are recognized: C. z. zonalis and C. z. sierrae. The species is poorly documented in published literature, with limited observational records available.
Centris pallida
Pallid Desert-Digger, digger bee, desert bee, pallid bee
Centris pallida is a solitary desert bee native to the Sonoran Desert region of North America. Males exhibit two distinct morphs associated with alternative reproductive tactics: large patrollers that use olfactory cues to locate buried virgin females near the ground, and small hoverers that use visual cues to find females above vegetation. The species has evolved remarkable thermal adaptations to survive extreme desert temperatures, including high thoracic conductance and dorsal solar reflectance in large-morph males. Long-term studies document a persistent decline in male body size since the 1970s, with potential consequences for the stability of alternative reproductive tactics.
Ceratina acantha
small carpenter bee
Ceratina acantha is a species of small carpenter bee in the family Apidae, native to Central and North America. It is one of numerous Ceratina species that contribute to wild bee pollination services, though like most small carpenter bees, it is not among the dominant crop-pollinating species. These bees are solitary or weakly social and nest in pre-existing cavities in dead plant material. The species has been documented in studies examining pollinator responses to flower density, showing flexible foraging patterns compared to larger social bees.
Ceratina arizonensis
Arizona Small Carpenter, Arizona Ceratina
Ceratina arizonensis is a small carpenter bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1898. It is one of numerous Ceratina species native to North and Central America. Like other small carpenter bees, it is a solitary bee that nests in pithy stems rather than excavating wood like its larger relatives in Xylocopa. The species has been documented as a pollinator of multiple flowering plant species in field studies.
Ceratina cobaltina
Cobalt Small Carpenter, cobalt ceratina
Ceratina cobaltina is a species of small carpenter bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1878. It is native to Central America and belongs to the genus Ceratina, which comprises small, often metallic bees that nest in pithy or hollow plant stems. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary bee that contributes to pollination services in its native range.
Ceratina cockerelli
Cockerell's ceratina
Ceratina cockerelli is a small carpenter bee in the family Apidae, described by H. S. Smith in 1907. Like other members of the genus Ceratina, it is a solitary bee that nests in preexisting cavities such as hollow plant stems. The species occurs in the Caribbean and North America, where it contributes to wild bee diversity and pollination services. It is one of many Ceratina species that collectively represent important pollinators in various ecosystems.
Ceratina dupla
doubled ceratina
Ceratina dupla is a small carpenter bee in the family Apidae. It occurs in the eastern half of North America and parts of Central America. The species was formerly confused with Ceratina floridana and Ceratina mikmaqi until molecular analyses revealed significant genetic differences. It is a solitary bee that nests in the pith of dead twigs and has been documented visiting multiple flower species in prairie habitats.
Ceratina floridana
Florida Small Carpenter Bee
Ceratina floridana is a small carpenter bee endemic to Florida, described by Mitchell in 1962. As a member of the genus Ceratina, it belongs to a group of diminutive bees that nest in dead twigs and stems rather than excavating wood like their larger carpenter bee relatives (Xylocopa). The species has been documented through 226 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate levels of contemporary detection. Like other Ceratina species, it likely exhibits solitary or weakly social nesting behavior, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Ceratina mikmaqi
small carpenter bee
Ceratina mikmaqi is a small carpenter bee native to eastern North America, described in 2011. It belongs to a genus of solitary bees that nest in the pith of dead twigs. In southern Ontario, it has been documented as locally common, where it constructs linear nests primarily in Fuller's teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). The species is genetically distinct from its congener C. dupla, with which it was previously confused, separated by five fixed nucleotide differences and approximately 1.86% sequence divergence in DNA barcode analysis.
Ceratina nanula
Tiny Small carpenter, dwarf ceratina
Ceratina nanula is a species of small carpenter bee in the family Apidae, described by Cockerell in 1897. It is one of the smallest members of the genus Ceratina, commonly known as the "dwarf ceratina" or "tiny small carpenter." The species has been documented in Central America and North America. Like other Ceratina species, it is a solitary bee that nests in pithy or hollow plant stems.
Ceratina sequoiae
small carpenter bee
Ceratina sequoiae is a small carpenter bee in the family Apidae, described by Michener in 1936. It is native to North America and has been documented as a specialist pollinator of Clarkia flowers. Like other members of the genus Ceratina, it is a solitary bee that nests in pithy or hollow plant stems. The species is part of a broader group of small carpenter bees that contribute to wild bee diversity and ecosystem function, though specific ecological studies on this species remain limited.
Ceratina strenua
nimble ceratina, nimble small carpenter bee
Ceratina strenua, commonly known as the nimble ceratina, is a species of small carpenter bee in the family Apidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and other regions. As a member of the genus Ceratina, it belongs to a group of small, solitary bees that nest in hollow plant stems or other pre-existing cavities. The species has been documented as a pollinator of multiple flowering plants, including Penstemon digitalis, Monarda fistulosa, and Eryngium yuccifolium, and exhibits flexible foraging preferences that vary depending on flower identity and competitive context.
Chelostoma
Scissor Bees
Chelostoma is a genus of solitary bees in the tribe Osmiini (family Megachilidae), comprising approximately 56-60 described species across five subgenera. These bees are predominantly Palaearctic in distribution and are notable for their high degree of pollen specialization: most species are strict oligoleges, collecting pollen from flowers of a single plant genus, subfamily, or family. Common host plant associations include Campanula (bellflowers), Ornithogalum, Ranunculus, Asteraceae, and Brassicaceae. Nesting occurs in preexisting cavities in dead wood or hollow plant stems, with females constructing brood cell partitions and nest plugs using mud often reinforced with pebbles and sand grains.
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.
Chelostoma rapunculi
Rampion Scissor Bee
Chelostoma rapunculi is a solitary bee in the subgenus Gyrodromella (family Megachilidae), commonly known as the Rampion Scissor Bee. It is an oligolectic species specialized on Campanula host plants, though females occasionally visit non-host plants including Geranium sanguineum and Malva moschata. Nesting occurs in preexisting linear cavities in dead wood or hollow stems, with cells partitioned using mud and pebbles. The species is native to the Palaearctic region and has been introduced to North America.
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 alternatus
Alternate Cuckoo Leafcutter Bee
Coelioxys alternatus is a North American species of cuckoo leafcutter bee in the family Megachilidae. As a kleptoparasite, females do not construct their own nests but instead lay eggs in the nests of host leafcutter bees (Megachile species). The developing larva kills the host egg or larva and consumes the pollen provisions stored by the host female. The species is recorded from Vermont and other parts of eastern North America.
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 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 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 menthae
Coelioxys menthae is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, it is a brood parasite that targets leafcutter bees (Megachile species). The species was described by Cockerell in 1897 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 porterae
Coelioxys porterae is a species of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cockerell in 1900. As a member of the genus Coelioxys, commonly known as sharp-tailed bees or cuckoo leafcutting bees, this species exhibits a parasitic lifestyle targeting other megachilid bees. The species is known from North America, with records from Vermont. Like other Coelioxys species, females likely deposit eggs in the nests of host bees, where their larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and kill the host egg or larva.
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 slossoni
Coelioxys slossoni slossoni is a subspecies of sharp-tailed bee in the family Megachilidae. Like other members of the genus Coelioxys, it is a cleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that exploits the nests of leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.). The female lays her eggs in the nest cells of host bees, and her larvae kill the host egg or larva before consuming the pollen provisions. The subspecies was described by Viereck in 1902 and occurs in North America.
Colletes aberrans
Aberrant Cellophane Bee
Colletes aberrans is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the Aberrant Cellophane Bee. It is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Colletes, it constructs subterranean burrows lined with a cellophane-like secretion produced by abdominal glands.
Colletes aestivalis
Alumroot Cellophane Bee, Summer Cellophane Bee
Colletes aestivalis is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the Alumroot Cellophane Bee. It is one of approximately 99 Colletes species in North America. Like other members of its genus, females construct individual burrows in sandy soils and line brood cells with a distinctive cellophane-like secretion from the Dufour's gland. The specific epithet 'aestivalis' (Latin for 'of summer') reflects its summer flight period, distinguishing it from many congeners that are active in spring or fall.
Colletes birkmanni
polyester bee, plasterer bee, cellophane bee
Colletes birkmanni is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, one of approximately 99 North American species in the genus Colletes. Like other members of its genus, females construct individual burrows in sandy or thinly vegetated soils and line brood cells with a distinctive cellophane-like secretion from the Dufour's gland. This species belongs to a group commonly called 'polyester bees' or 'plasterer bees' due to this unique waterproofing behavior.