Spring-bee
Guides
Andrena alleghaniensis
Allegheny Mining Bee, Appalachian Miner Bee, Alleghany Andrena
A solitary mining bee native to eastern North America. Nests are simple, typically containing only one or two cells. Adults overwinter in soil, emerging in spring to forage and reproduce. The species is part of the diverse Andrena genus, which contains many spring-flying bees associated with forest and woodland habitats.
Andrena auricoma
Golden-haired Miner Bee
Andrena auricoma, the Golden-haired Miner Bee, is a small solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. Females measure 8–10 mm in length, while males are smaller at 6–9 mm. The species is native to the western United States, with its distribution centered in California and relative rarity outside this state. It is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil for reproduction.
Andrena brevipalpis
Short-palped Miner, short-tongued miner bee
Andrena brevipalpis is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1930. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and broader North American distribution. The species is an oligolectic specialist, collecting pollen exclusively from Rhus (sumac) flowers. Like other Andrena species, it nests in the ground and is active during spring.
Andrena canadensis
Canada miner bee, Canada andrena, Canadian Mining Bee
Andrena canadensis is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. Like other Andrena species, it nests in the ground and is active in spring. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with most information inferred from genus-level traits.
Andrena clarkella
Clark's Mining Bee, Clark's Andrena, Clarke's Mining Bee
Andrena clarkella is a solitary mining bee (family Andrenidae) found in Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. It is one of the earliest spring-flying bees, active from March to May. The species is oligolectic, specializing on willow (Salix) pollen. Females nest in bare or sparsely vegetated sandy soils, often in forest clearings and edges.
Andrena crataegi
Hawthorn Mining Bee, Hawthorn Andrena
Andrena crataegi is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it nests in the ground and is active in spring. The specific epithet 'crataegi' refers to hawthorn (Crataegus), suggesting a likely association with this plant genus for foraging.
Andrena dunningi
Dunning's Miner Bee, Dunning's Miner
Andrena dunningi is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. Like other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and lay eggs. As a spring-flying bee, it contributes to early-season pollination. The species is one of many Andrena bees that form a significant component of native bee diversity in temperate North American habitats.
Andrena erythrogaster
Red-tailed Mining Bee, red-tailed andrena, red-bellied miner bee
Andrena erythrogaster is a solitary mining bee native to North America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the typical ground-nesting behavior characteristic of mining bees. The species is distinguished by its reddish abdominal coloration, reflected in both its scientific and common names. Like other Andrena species, it is a spring-active pollinator that nests in excavated burrows in soil.
Andrena fragilis
Fragile Miner Bee, Fragile Dogwood Andrena
Andrena fragilis is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. The species belongs to a large genus of ground-nesting bees that excavate tunnels in soil to provision their larvae with pollen. Like other Andrena species, it is active in spring and contributes to pollination of early-flowering plants.
Andrena fuscicauda
Brown-tailed Miner Bee, Dark-tailed Mining Bee, Dark-tailed Andrena
Andrena fuscicauda is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, characterized by its brown or dark-colored tail. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the typical traits of mining bees: ground-nesting behavior, solitary reproduction, and spring activity. The species is known from North America, though detailed ecological studies specific to this species remain limited.
Andrena geranii
Geranium Miner Bee, Geranium Andrena
Andrena geranii is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. It is commonly known as the Geranium Miner Bee or Geranium Andrena, names reflecting its documented association with geranium plants (Pelargonium and Geranium species). Like other members of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for its larvae. The species is part of the diverse Andrena fauna of eastern North America, though detailed ecological studies specific to this species remain limited.
Andrena haynesi
Haynes' Mining Bee, Haynes's Miner Bee, Haynes' Andrena
Andrena haynesi is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as Haynes' Mining Bee. First described by Viereck and Cockerell in 1914, this species is known from North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and lay eggs.
Andrena hippotes
Hippotes's Miner Bee, Orange-legged Miner Bee
Andrena hippotes is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as Hippotes's Miner Bee or Orange-legged Miner Bee. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in bare soil for nesting. The species is found in North America, with records from Vermont and other regions. Like other Andrena species, it is likely active in spring and plays a role in pollination of early-flowering plants.
Andrena hirticincta
Hairy-banded Mining Bee, Hairy-belted Miner Bee, Hairy-banded Andrena
Andrena hirticincta is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Hairy-banded Mining Bee. The species is found in North America and belongs to a large genus of ground-nesting bees that provision underground burrows with pollen for their larvae. Like other Andrena species, it is a spring-flying bee that contributes to early-season pollination.
Andrena krigiana
Dwarf-dandelion Mining Bee, dwarf-dandelion andrena
Andrena krigiana is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Dwarf-dandelion Mining Bee. It is a ground-nesting species found in North America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the typical traits of mining bees: females excavate burrows in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for their larvae. The specific epithet and common name suggest an association with dwarf-dandelion (Krigia species), likely indicating a pollen specialization.
Andrena mesillae
Andrena mesillae is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1896. As with other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to create nest cells provisioned with pollen for its larvae. The species occurs in North America and Middle America. Like most Andrena, it likely plays a role in spring pollination of wildflowers in its habitat.
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 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 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.
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.
Colletes hyalinus
polyester bee, plasterer bee, cellophane bee
Colletes hyalinus is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. The species belongs to a group commonly known as polyester bees or plasterer bees, named for the distinctive cellophane-like lining females create in their underground brood cells using secretions from the Dufour's gland. Three subspecies are recognized: C. h. hyalinus, C. h. gaudialis, and C. h. oregonensis. Like other members of the genus, this species exhibits protandry, with males emerging before females.
Colletes punctipennis
Dot-winged Cellophane Bee, Dot-winged Plasterer Bee
A solitary ground-nesting bee in the genus Colletes, known for its distinctive wing markings and cellophane-like nest linings. Like other plasterer bees, females construct individual burrows in sandy soils and coat brood cells with a waterproof secretion from the Dufour's gland. The specific epithet 'punctipennis' refers to punctate (dotted) wing markings that aid in identification.
Colletes thoracicus
Rufous-backed Cellophane Bee, Rufous-chested Cellophane Bee
Colletes thoracicus, commonly known as the rufous-backed cellophane bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee native to North America. It belongs to the family Colletidae, which are known as plasterer or cellophane bees due to their unique nesting behavior. Females construct individual burrows in sandy soils and line the interior chambers with a cellophane-like secretion produced by a gland in their abdomen, creating waterproof brood cells. This species emerges early in spring and is an important native pollinator of early-blooming plants.
Nomada maculata
Spotted Nomad Bee
Nomada maculata, the Spotted Nomad Bee, is a kleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it does not construct its own nest but instead lays eggs in the nests of host bee species, primarily ground-nesting bees in the genus Andrena. The species is found in North America, with documented records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a cuckoo bee, females enter host nests to deposit eggs, and the resulting larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and may destroy the host egg or larva.
Osmia lignaria
blue orchard bee, orchard mason bee, BOB
A solitary megachilid bee native to North America, widely managed for pollination of early spring fruit crops including almonds, apples, and cherries. Distinguished by metallic blue coloration, smaller size than honey bees, and unique mud-nesting behavior. Divided into two subspecies by the Rocky Mountains: O. l. propinqua (west) and O. l. lignaria (east).