Solitary-bee
Guides
Eucera amsinckiae
Eucera amsinckiae is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, first described by Timberlake in 1969. The species belongs to the genus Eucera, which comprises solitary bees commonly known as squash bees due to their specialized association with cucurbit plants. Males of Eucera species are characterized by exceptionally long antennae, a trait that gives the group its common name. Like other members of its genus, E. amsinckiae is likely an important pollinator of agricultural crops, particularly those in the Cucurbitaceae family.
Eucera cordleyi
Cordley's Long-horned Bee
Eucera cordleyi is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, first described by Viereck in 1905. Like other members of the genus Eucera, males are characterized by exceptionally long antennae. The species occurs in North America and is part of the Eucerini tribe, which includes important pollinators of agricultural crops such as cucurbits. Specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Eucera frater
Monk Longhorn
Eucera frater is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. It belongs to the tribe Eucerini, a group of solitary bees characterized by elongated antennae in males. The species was originally described as Melissodes frater by Cresson in 1878 and later transferred to the genus Eucera. Three subspecies are recognized: E. f. albopilosa, E. f. frater, and E. f. lata.
Eucera frater albopilosa
White-haired Monk Longhorn
Eucera frater albopilosa is a subspecies of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It belongs to the genus Eucera, a group of solitary bees commonly known as squash bees or long-horned bees due to the exceptionally long antennae of males. The subspecies is recognized as valid and has been documented in North America. Like other Eucera species, it is likely associated with pollination of flowering plants, though specific ecological details for this subspecies remain limited in published sources.
Eucera frater lata
A subspecies of long-horned bee in the genus Eucera, native to North America. Males possess notably elongated antennae, a defining trait of the genus. Like other Eucera species, this subspecies is a solitary ground-nesting bee and likely contributes to pollination of flowering plants in its range. Specific biological details for this subspecies remain poorly documented in published literature.
Eucera fulvitarsis
Long-horned Bee
Eucera fulvitarsis is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. Males are distinguished by exceptionally long antennae relative to body size, a characteristic feature of the genus Eucera. The species was originally described as Melissodes fulvitarsis by Cresson in 1878 and later transferred to the genus Eucera. Two subspecies are recognized: E. f. annae and the nominate E. f. fulvitarsis. Like other members of the tribe Eucerini, this species is solitary and nests in the ground.
Eucera fulvitarsis fulvitarsis
Eucera fulvitarsis fulvitarsis is a subspecies of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It belongs to the tribe Eucerini, a group of solitary bees characterized by males with notably long antennae. The subspecies was described by Cresson in 1879 and is native to North America. Like other Eucera species, it is a specialist pollinator associated with cucurbit crops and other flowering plants.
Eucera hamata
Hook-spurred Longhorn
Eucera hamata is a long-horned bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. Males possess exceptionally long antennae, a characteristic trait of the genus Eucera. The species belongs to a group of solitary bees that nest underground and forage primarily on legume flowers.
Eucera lutziana
Eucera lutziana is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, described by Cockerell in 1933. As a member of the genus Eucera, it belongs to the tribe Eucerini, a group of solitary bees commonly known as long-horned bees due to the exceptionally long antennae of males. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published sources.
Eucera rosae
Eucera rosae is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, described by Robertson in 1900. It is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Eucera, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee. The specific epithet 'rosae' suggests an association with roses, though this relationship requires confirmation from primary sources.
Exomalopsis analis
Exomalopsis analis is a small bee in the family Apidae, tribe Exomalopsini. It occurs from the southern United States through Central America to Argentina. Like other Exomalopsis species, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee. The species has been documented visiting flowers of various plants, including agricultural crops.
Gaesischia exul
Exiled Longhorn
Gaesischia exul is a species of longhorn bee in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. Described in 1955 by Michener, LaBerge and Moure, this bee is known by the common name 'Exiled Longhorn'. As a member of the Eucerini, it belongs to a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees that are important pollinators. The specific epithet 'exul' (Latin for 'exile' or 'wanderer') likely refers to some aspect of its distribution or behavior, though the original etymology is not documented in available sources.
Habropoda cineraria
Habropoda cineraria is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, native to western North America. Like other members of the genus Habropoda, it nests in sandy soils and exhibits specialized ecological relationships with nest parasites. The species has been documented in coastal and interior western habitats, though detailed biological studies specific to this species remain limited compared to better-known congeners such as H. miserabilis and H. pallida.
Habropoda depressa
Habropoda depressa is a species of anthophorine bee in the family Apidae. It is a solitary ground-nesting bee found in North America. Like other members of the genus Habropoda, it is a digger bee that excavates nests in soil. The species was described by Fowler in 1899.
Habropoda laboriosa
Southeastern Blueberry Bee, Blueberry Digger Bee
Habropoda laboriosa is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae, native to the eastern United States. It is an oligolectic specialist pollinator of blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), for which it is the most efficient known pollinator due to its buzz pollination behavior. The species is active for only 3-5 weeks annually, synchronized with early spring blueberry bloom. It nests in aggregations in sandy soils and has been estimated to provide $20 per individual in blueberry pollination services.
Habropoda miserabilis
silver digger bee
Habropoda miserabilis, commonly known as the silver digger bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee native to western North America. This species was historically abundant in coastal sand dune habitats but declined dramatically by the mid-20th century due to habitat loss from invasive plant encroachment. Recent habitat restoration efforts have enabled population recoveries at several sites. The species serves as a host for the parasitic blister beetle Meloe franciscanus, which has evolved sophisticated chemical mimicry to exploit the bee's mating system.
Habropoda pallida
pallid habropoda, white-faced bee
Habropoda pallida is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae. It is the first native bee to emerge in spring on the Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve. The species has been extensively studied for its chemical communication system, which involves long-chain hydrocarbon sex pheromones. It serves as a host for the parasitic blister beetle Meloe franciscanus, whose larvae mimic the bee's pheromone signals to gain entry to nests. Females provision nests with pollen, with documented use of Larrea tridentata pollen.
Heriades
Armored Resin bees
Heriades is a genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, comprising more than 130 species worldwide. These small, typically black bees are notable for nesting in pre-existing wood cavities and using plant resin to construct and seal nest cells. The genus spans eight subgenera with distributions across all continents; in North America, roughly 25 species occur, though only three are native east of the Rocky Mountains. Several species, particularly Heriades truncorum, serve as important research models for studying bee sexual communication, urban ecology, and pesticide effects.
Heriades carinata
Carinate Sculptured Mason Bee, Carinate Armored-Resin bee
Heriades carinata is a small solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae. It is a twig-nesting species that uses pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or beetle borings in dead wood. The female constructs nest cells separated by partitions of plant resin, earning it the common name 'Armored-Resin bee.' It has been recorded as the first gynandromorph in its genus. The species occurs across the United States and southern Canada.
Heriades leavitti
Leavitt's Armored-Resin bee
Heriades leavitti is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, subgenus Neotrypetes, described by Crawford in 1913. It belongs to a genus of armored-resin bees known for nesting in pre-existing cavities and sealing nest entrances with plant resin. The species is distributed in the Neotropical region and North America, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Hesperapis larreae
Creosote Evening Bee
Hesperapis larreae is a solitary, ground-nesting bee in the family Melittidae, subfamily Dasypodainae. It is commonly known as the Creosote Evening Bee, suggesting a close association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). The species was described by Cockerell in 1907 and occurs in arid regions of North America and Middle America. As a member of the small bee family Melittidae, it represents one of the more basal lineages within the Apoidea.
Hoplitis albifrons
White-fronted Small-Mason
Hoplitis albifrons is a solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae, tribe Osmiini. It is native to North America, with documented records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a member of the osmiine bees, it likely constructs nests in pre-existing cavities and uses mud or other materials to partition brood cells, though specific natural history details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Hoplitis albifrons argentifrons
Silver-fronted Small-Mason
Hoplitis albifrons argentifrons is a subspecies of mason bee in the family Megachilidae, native to North America. As a member of the osmiine bees, it is a solitary species that constructs nests in pre-existing cavities. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader H. albifrons species complex. Like other Hoplitis species, it contributes to pollination services in its native range.
Hoplitis albifrons maura
Pacific Black Small-Mason
Hoplitis albifrons maura is a subspecies of mason bee in the family Megachilidae, native to western North America. It belongs to a group of solitary bees known for nesting in pre-existing cavities and constructing brood cells from collected materials. As a member of the osmiine bees, it contributes to pollination services in its native range. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader H. albifrons species complex.
Hoplitis anthocopoides
Viper's Bugloss Small-Mason
Hoplitis anthocopoides is a solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae. It is a specialist pollinator of Echium vulgare (viper's bugloss), using this plant for both pollen/nectar collection and leaf material for nest construction. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities using cut leaf pieces, creating linear series of 6-10 cells. Males exhibit territorial behavior, defending flower patches to gain access to females. The species has a broad distribution across Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America.
Hoplitis biscutellae
Creosote Small-Mason
Hoplitis biscutellae is a solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cockerell in 1897. It is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Hoplitis, it is a cavity-nesting bee that constructs nests using mud or plant materials. The common name "Creosote Small-Mason" suggests an association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), though specific host plant relationships remain poorly documented.
Hoplitis bullifacies
Hoplitis bullifacies is a species of solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Michener in 1947. It belongs to the diverse genus Hoplitis, which comprises numerous small to medium-sized mason bees native to the Northern Hemisphere. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Hoplitis bunocephala
Hoplitis bunocephala is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, described by Michener in 1947. The species is native to North America and belongs to the diverse genus Hoplitis, which includes numerous mason bee species. Like other members of Megachilidae, females carry pollen on scopae located on the underside of the abdomen rather than on the hind legs.
Hoplitis elongaticeps
Hoplitis elongaticeps is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, first described by Michener in 1947. It belongs to the diverse genus Hoplitis, which comprises numerous mason bee species across the Northern Hemisphere. The species is known to occur in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources.
Hoplitis fulgida
Green Small-Mason
Hoplitis fulgida is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Green Small-Mason. It is native to North America and belongs to the diverse genus Hoplitis, which includes numerous mason bee species. The species was first described by Cresson in 1864. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to nest in pre-existing cavities and construct cells using collected materials.
Hoplitis fulgida fulgida
Hoplitis fulgida fulgida is a subspecies of mason bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cresson in 1864. As a member of the genus Hoplitis, it belongs to a group of solitary bees that construct nests using collected materials. The subspecies is part of the North American fauna of Osmia bees, though specific ecological details for this subspecies remain poorly documented in available literature.
Hoplitis fulgida platyura
Pacific Green Small-Mason
Hoplitis fulgida platyura is a subspecies of mason bee in the family Megachilidae. It is native to western North America, where it occurs from British Columbia to California. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate form by structural differences in the male antennae and subtle coloration differences. Like other members of the genus Hoplitis, females construct nests in pre-existing cavities and line brood cells with collected materials.
Hoplitis howardi
Hoplitis howardi is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, tribe Osmiini. First described by Cockerell in 1910, this species belongs to a large genus of mason bees that nest in pre-existing cavities. The genus Hoplitis is characterized by females that construct nest cells using collected materials such as leaf pieces, mud, or resin. H. howardi occurs in North America and Middle America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Hoplitis hypocrita
Mimic Small-Mason
Hoplitis hypocrita is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Mimic Small-Mason. It belongs to the tribe Osmiini, which includes many mason bee species that nest in pre-existing cavities. The species was originally described by Cockerell in 1906 as Osmia hypocrita before being transferred to the genus Hoplitis. It is native to North America.
Hoplitis producta
Produced Small-Mason
Hoplitis producta is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Produced Small-Mason. It is native to North America east of the Rocky Mountains and is considered common and widely distributed in this range. The species is notable for its nesting biology, having been documented using pith-filled plant stems for nest construction.
Hoplitis spoliata
Dilated-horned Small-Mason
Hoplitis spoliata is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Dilated-horned Small-Mason. It is a member of the diverse osmiine bee tribe, which includes many species that nest in pre-existing cavities and use various materials to construct brood cells. The species was first described by Provancher in 1888 and is native to North America, with documented occurrences in the northeastern United States including Vermont.
Hoplitis truncata
Truncate Small-Mason
Hoplitis truncata is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Truncate Small-Mason. It is part of the diverse osmiine bee group, which includes many species that nest in pre-existing cavities and use various materials to construct their nests. The species has been recorded in North America and parts of Southern Asia, though detailed biological information remains limited.
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 basalis
Cinquefoil Masked Bee
Hylaeus basalis is a solitary bee species in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the Cinquefoil Masked Bee. It is native to North America and belongs to the genus Hylaeus, a group of nearly hairless bees often mistaken for wasps. Like other masked bees, females lack pollen-carrying structures and instead transport nectar and pollen internally in a crop, regurgitating food stores at the nest. The species has been documented in Colorado and Vermont.
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.
Hylaeus episcopalis
Episcopal Masked Bee
Hylaeus episcopalis is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, first described by Cockerell in 1896. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary, nearly hairless bee that transports pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs. The species occurs in North America and is one of approximately 50 Hylaeus species on the continent. Four subspecies have been described: H. e. coquilletti, H. e. episcopalis, H. e. giffardiellus, and H. e. metzi.
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 fedorica
Hylaeus fedorica is a species of masked bee (yellow-faced bee) in the family Colletidae. The species was described by Cockerell in 1909. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is a solitary bee with distinctive facial markings. The genus is characterized by nearly hairless bodies that resemble wasps, and females that transport pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus floridanus
Florida Masked Bee
Hylaeus floridanus is a species of masked bee (yellow-faced bee) in the family Colletidae. Like other members of its genus, it is nearly hairless and wasp-like in appearance, transporting pollen and nectar internally in a crop rather than externally on body hairs. Females nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or twigs, lining cells with a secreted polymer. The species is native to Florida and the southeastern United States.
Hylaeus graenicheri
Graenicher's Masked Bee, Graenicher's Yellow-faced Bee
Hylaeus graenicheri is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, endemic to southern Florida. It is one of only five Colletidae species restricted entirely to Florida. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is nearly hairless and wasp-like in appearance, with yellow or white facial markings. The species is poorly known due to its restricted range and limited study.
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
modest masked bee, yellow-faced bee
A small, nearly hairless solitary bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. Females transport pollen and nectar internally in a crop, then regurgitate it into brood cells lined with a secreted polymer. The species has been observed visiting annual flowers in garden settings and is a generalist forager. A gynandromorph specimen with bilaterally asymmetric male and female characteristics was documented from Ontario, Canada.