Solitary-bee
Guides
Hylaeus modestus citrinifrons
Modest masked bee
Hylaeus modestus citrinifrons is a subspecies of the modest masked bee, a small, nearly hairless solitary bee in the family Colletidae. It is part of a genus commonly known as yellow-faced or masked bees due to distinctive facial markings. The species H. modestus has been documented visiting flowers in garden and agricultural settings. Like other Hylaeus, it is a cavity-nesting bee that uses pre-existing hollow stems or twigs rather than excavating its own burrows.
Hylaeus modestus modestus
modest masked bee, yellow-faced bee
Hylaeus modestus modestus is a subspecies of the modest masked bee, a small, nearly hairless solitary bee in the family Colletidae. Like other Hylaeus species, it lacks scopal hairs for pollen transport and instead carries nectar and pollen internally in a crop, regurgitating food stores at the nest. The subspecies has been recorded in Canada and the United States, including a notable gynandromorph specimen from Ontario. It is one of approximately 50 Hylaeus species in North America and belongs to the subgenus Prosopis.
Hylaeus nelumbonis
Nelumbo Masked Bee
Hylaeus nelumbonis is a species of masked bee (family Colletidae) native to North America. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is a solitary, nearly hairless bee that resembles small wasps in appearance. The species name "nelumbonis" suggests an association with Nelumbo (lotus), though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented. As with most Hylaeus species, females transport nectar internally in a crop rather than externally on body hairs.
Hylaeus ornatus
Ornate Masked Bee
Hylaeus ornatus, commonly known as the ornate masked bee, is a species of solitary bee in the family Colletidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the genus Hylaeus, commonly called masked bees or yellow-faced bees due to their distinctive pale facial markings. Like other members of its genus, it is nearly hairless and carries pollen internally rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus polifolii
Buckwheat Masked Bee
Hylaeus polifolii is a solitary bee species in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the buckwheat masked bee. It is native to North America and belongs to the genus Hylaeus, a group of nearly hairless bees often mistaken for wasps due to their slender appearance. The species has two recognized subspecies: H. p. catalinensis and H. p. polifolii. Like other masked bees, females transport pollen and nectar internally in a crop rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus punctatus
Punctate Masked Bee, Punctate Spatulate-Masked Bee
Hylaeus punctatus is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. Like other members of its genus, it is nearly hairless and wasp-like in appearance, with distinctive facial markings. This solitary bee nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or twigs, lining cells with a glandular secretion. It is a generalist pollinator that transports pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus schwarzii
Schwarz's Masked Bee
Hylaeus schwarzii is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is a solitary, nearly hairless bee that superficially resembles small wasps. The species was described by Cockerell in 1896 and is one of approximately 50 Hylaeus species occurring in North America. Very little species-specific information is documented for H. schwarzii; most knowledge of its biology is inferred from the broader genus.
Hylaeus verticalis
Vertical Masked Bee
Hylaeus verticalis, commonly known as the Vertical Masked Bee, is a species of solitary bee in the family Colletidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the genus Hylaeus, a group of nearly hairless bees often mistaken for wasps due to their appearance. Like other masked bees, females carry pollen and nectar internally in a crop rather than on body hairs, and nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or twigs.
Lasioglossum actinosum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum actinosum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, one of over 1,700 species in the genus Lasioglossum. Like other halictids, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species was described by Sandhouse in 1924 and occurs in North America. Members of this genus are frequently encountered in bee monitoring studies using bowl traps, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Lasioglossum admirandum
Admirable Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum admirandum is a small sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, one of 84 metallic Dialictus species revised for Canada. Originally described by Sandhouse in 1924, it was synonymized with D. perspicuus before being restored as the senior synonym. Like other Dialictus, it belongs to the most commonly collected bee group in North America and exhibits diverse social systems. The species is part of the largest bee genus globally, with over 1,700 Lasioglossum species worldwide.
Lasioglossum anomalum
Anomalous Metallic Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum anomalum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, one of over 1,700 species in the genus Lasioglossum. As with other members of this large genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and broader distribution across the continent. Like related Lasioglossum species, it likely exhibits metallic coloration typical of many halictid bees.
Lasioglossum cattellae
A small metallic sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, originally described from the eastern United States. The species was previously known under the synonym Dialictus alternatus until synonymized by Gibbs (2010). Like other members of this large subgenus, it is a ground-nesting bee with likely solitary or weakly social behavior.
Lasioglossum cinctipes
Lasioglossum cinctipes is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, a group of small to medium-sized bees commonly attracted to human perspiration for its salt content. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum—one of the largest bee genera with over 1,700 species—this bee is part of a diverse lineage of ground-nesting solitary to semi-social bees. The species is documented from North America, with records from Vermont and other regions.
Lasioglossum coreopsis
sweat bee
Lasioglossum coreopsis is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Robertson in 1902. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum, it belongs to the largest bee genus with over 1,700 species worldwide. The species is documented from the Caribbean and North America. Like other halictid bees, it likely exhibits solitary or semi-social nesting behavior in soil.
Lasioglossum coriaceum
Leathery Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum coriaceum, commonly known as the leathery sweat bee, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to one of the largest genera of bees, with over 1,700 described species. Like other Lasioglossum species, it is a ground-nesting bee. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a member of Halictidae, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic behavior of visiting flowers for pollen and nectar, and may be attracted to human perspiration for salts and minerals.
Lasioglossum imbrex
Lasioglossum imbrex is a small sweat bee species in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2010. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum, it belongs to the largest bee genus with over 1,700 species globally. The species is found in North America and Hawaii, where it contributes to pollination services in its native habitats. Like other halictid bees, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social species.
Lasioglossum katherineae
Lasioglossum katherineae is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2011. It belongs to the subgenus Dialictus within the large genus Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species worldwide. Like other members of this genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont.
Lasioglossum leucozonium
White-banded Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum leucozonium is a solitary, ground-nesting sweat bee in the family Halictidae. Native to the Palearctic, it has been introduced to North America where genetic evidence indicates establishment from a single founder female. The species is now widespread across multiple continents including Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America. It produces one generation per year and is a generalist pollinator frequently associated with yellow-flowered Asteraceae.
Lasioglossum lionotum
smooth-backed sweat bee
Lasioglossum lionotum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Sandhouse in 1923. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small, ground-nesting bee. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont. As with most Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information specific to L. lionotum is limited.
Lasioglossum lustrans
Two-celled Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum lustrans is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1897. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum—one of the largest bee genera with over 1,700 species—it belongs to a group frequently encountered in bee surveys and monitoring studies. The species is known from North America and is referred to by the common name 'Two-celled Sweat Bee'. Like other halictids, it is a ground-nesting bee and contributes to pollination services in its habitat.
Lasioglossum marinum
marine metallic-sweat bee
Lasioglossum marinum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the marine metallic-sweat bee. It belongs to one of the largest bee genera, with over 1,700 species. Like other members of Lasioglossum, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The specific epithet 'marinum' suggests an association with coastal or saline environments, though detailed ecological studies are limited.
Lasioglossum michiganense
Michigan sweat bee
Lasioglossum michiganense is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Mitchell in 1960. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small bee that may be attracted to human perspiration for the salts and minerals it contains. The species is part of the largest genus of bees, which includes over 1,700 species globally. Specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Lasioglossum nelumbonis
water-lily sweat bee
Lasioglossum nelumbonis is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the water-lily sweat bee. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, with over 1,700 species worldwide. Like other members of the genus, it is a ground-nesting bee. The specific epithet 'nelumbonis' suggests an association with water lilies (Nelumbo), though direct ecological documentation is limited.
Lasioglossum nymphale
sweat bee
Lasioglossum nymphale is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Smith in 1853. As a member of the large genus Lasioglossum, it belongs to a group of small, often metallic bees commonly known as sweat bees due to their attraction to human perspiration. The species occurs in North America and shares the general biology of other Lasioglossum species, including ground-nesting behavior and solitary or semi-social nesting habits.
Lasioglossum oblongum
Oblong Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum oblongum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species. As a member of the subgenus Dialictus, it is one of many small, often metallic bees that are frequently encountered in bee surveys and monitoring efforts. The species is documented from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont.
Lasioglossum obscurum
Obscure Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum obscurum is a small solitary bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as sweat bees. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, which contains over 1,700 species. Like other Lasioglossum species, it is a ground-nesting bee that typically occurs in North American prairie and grassland habitats. The species was described by Robertson in 1892.
Lasioglossum oceanicum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum oceanicum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1916. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small bee with metallic coloration typical of many halictids. The species belongs to one of the most species-rich bee genera globally, with over 1,700 described species. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information for L. oceanicum specifically is limited in available literature.
Lasioglossum olympiae
Olympia Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum olympiae is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is a small, ground-nesting bee native to North America. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a generalist pollinator that visits a variety of flowering plants. The species is part of the largest genus of bees, which includes over 1,700 species globally.
Lasioglossum ovaliceps
Oval-headed Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum ovaliceps is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1898. It is native to North America and belongs to the largest genus of bees, which contains over 1,700 species. Like other members of its genus, it is a small, ground-nesting bee that visits flowers for pollen and nectar.
Lasioglossum pectoraloides
Shiny-breasted Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum pectoraloides is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1895. It belongs to one of the largest genera of bees, with over 1,700 species. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary or semi-social ground-nesting bee. The species occurs in North America and Middle America.
Lasioglossum planatum
Flattened Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum planatum is a small sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, resurrected from synonymy in a 2010 taxonomic revision of Canadian metallic Lasioglossum. It is one of over 1,700 species in the genus Lasioglossum, the largest genus of bees. Like other Dialictus species, it is a ground-nesting bee with variable social behavior. The species occurs in northeastern North America, with confirmed records from Vermont.
Lasioglossum platyparium
sweat bee
Lasioglossum platyparium is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Robertson in 1895. Like other members of the large genus Lasioglossum, it is a small bee that nests in the soil. The species occurs in North America, with records from Vermont and other regions. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information is limited.
Lasioglossum pruinosum
hoary sweat bee
Lasioglossum pruinosum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the hoary sweat bee. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species is documented in North America and is one of many small halictid bees frequently captured in bowl trap surveys, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Lasioglossum tarponense
sweat bee
Lasioglossum tarponense is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Mitchell in 1960. It belongs to the genus Lasioglossum, the largest genus of bees with over 1,700 species. Like other halictids, it is a ground-nesting bee. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available literature.
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.
Lasioglossum truncatum
Truncate Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum truncatum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, one of over 1,700 species in the genus Lasioglossum. Like other members of this large genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee. The species occurs in North America and has been documented in Vermont and other regions. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information specific to L. truncatum is limited, though it shares general ecological traits with its congeners.
Lasioglossum tuolumnense
Lasioglossum tuolumnense is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2009. It belongs to the genus Lasioglossum, the largest genus of bees with over 1,700 species. As a halictid bee, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social species, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Lasioglossum versans
Friendless Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum versans is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, subgenus Dialictus. It was described by Lovell in 1905 and is one of 84 metallic Dialictus species treated in the Canadian taxonomic revision. The species is known from North America with records from Vermont. Like other members of the large genus Lasioglossum, it is a ground-nesting bee with likely solitary or semi-social nesting biology.
Lasioglossum versatum
Experienced Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum versatum is a sweat bee species in the family Halictidae, subgenus Dialictus, native to North America. It was described by Robertson in 1902 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with three synonymies proposed in a 2010 Canadian revision. Like other Dialictus species, it is small and likely metallic, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species contributes to the diverse assemblage of Lasioglossum bees that dominate many North American bee surveys.
Lasioglossum vierecki
Viereck's Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum vierecki is a solitary sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as Viereck's Sweat Bee. It is a sand specialist, nesting exclusively in sandy soils and visiting plants restricted to sandy habitats. The species is distinguished by its densely hairy orange-yellow abdomen with golden-yellow hair on the scutellum and extensively yellow legs in females. Active from April to September, it occurs across eastern North America from Minnesota and southern Canada to Georgia and Louisiana.
Lasioglossum viridatum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum viridatum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Lovell in 1905. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species is part of the enormous Lasioglossum genus, which contains over 1,700 species globally and is frequently encountered in bee monitoring studies due to its abundance. It has been recorded in North America, with specific observations from Vermont.
Lithurginae
woodborer bees, cactus woodborers
Lithurginae is a subfamily of woodborer bees in the family Megachilidae. Members nest in woody substrates, including dead wood and cactus stems. The subfamily contains five genera: Austrothurgus, Lithurgopsis, Lithurgus, Microthurge, and Trichothurgus. Several species have been introduced outside their native ranges.
Lithurgopsis apicalis
orange-tipped woodborer
Lithurgopsis apicalis is a solitary woodborer bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the orange-tipped woodborer. Adults are active pollinators that visit flowers of several plant families, particularly Cactaceae, Malvaceae, and Asteraceae. The species nests in the hollow stalks of Agave plants, where females excavate tunnels and provision cells with pollen. It occurs across the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Lithurgopsis gibbosa
Southeastern Woodborer, Gibbous Woodborer Bee
Lithurgopsis gibbosa is a large, robust solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Southeastern Woodborer or Gibbous Woodborer Bee. It is one of the largest native bees in eastern North America and is notable for its distinctive humped thorax and wood-boring nesting behavior. The species occurs primarily in the southeastern United States, where females excavate nest tunnels in dead wood and provision cells with pollen and nectar.
Lithurgus
Woodborer Bees
Lithurgus is a genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as woodborer bees. Species in this genus excavate nesting tunnels in dead wood rather than using pre-existing cavities. They are distributed across the Mediterranean Basin, Eurasia, North Africa, and parts of Asia, with some species showing recent northward range expansion. Several species have been introduced outside their native ranges, including L. chrysurus and L. huberi in the Americas.
Macrotera echinocacti
barrel cactus macrotera, barrel cactus goblin bee
Macrotera echinocacti is a small solitary bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the barrel cactus goblin bee. The species was described by Timberlake in 1954 under the basionym Perdita echinocacti. It is known from Central America and North America, with extremely limited observational records.
Megachile
Leafcutter bees, Leafcutting bees, Resin bees, Mortar bees
Megachile is a large, cosmopolitan genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, comprising over 1,500 described species across more than 50 subgenera. The genus includes the commercially important alfalfa leafcutter bee (M. rotundata), managed globally for crop pollination. Species exhibit diverse nesting strategies: many cut circular leaf or petal pieces to line nest cells, while others use plant resin or mortar-like materials. The genus contains the world's largest bee, M. pluto (Wallace's Giant Bee), with a wingspan exceeding 6 cm.
Megachile addenda
cranberry leafcutter bee
Megachile addenda is a solitary leafcutter bee native to North America, first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878. It is commonly known as the cranberry leafcutter bee due to its documented role as a pollinator of cranberry crops. The species nests in sand beds and belongs to the subgenus Delomegachile. Like other Megachile species, females cut leaf pieces to construct brood chambers.
Megachile brevis
leafcutter bee
Megachile brevis is a species of leafcutter bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1837. As a member of the genus Megachile, it shares the characteristic behavior of cutting leaves or petals to line its nest cavities. The species occurs in North America and Middle America according to distribution records. Like other leafcutter bees, it is a solitary nester and contributes to pollination services in its range.
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.