Sunflower-pollinator
Guides
Dieunomia
Dieunomia is a genus of sweat bees in the family Halictidae, containing approximately nine described species. These bees are among the largest in their family, second only to the genus Nomia. They are relatively uncommon and exhibit specialized ecological relationships with their pollen sources.
Megachile pugnata
Pugnacious Leafcutter Bee, Sunflower Leafcutting Bee
Megachile pugnata is a solitary, cavity-nesting leafcutter bee native to North America. Females construct nests in preexisting hollow cavities using cut leaves to line brood cells, which are partitioned by plugs of mud, sand, or vegetation. Adults feed exclusively on flowers in the Asteraceae family, making them particularly effective pollinators of sunflowers. The species exhibits strong instinctive aggregation behavior, with females preferentially nesting near conspecifics even when cavities are abundant. Males emerge before females in spring, mate quickly, and die, while females live approximately two months and produce 35-40 eggs across multiple nests.
Megachile pugnata pugnata
sunflower leafcutting bee
Megachile pugnata pugnata is a solitary leafcutting bee native to North America, notable for its specialized association with sunflowers (Helianthus). Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities using circular leaf pieces cut from host plants to form thimble-shaped brood cells. The subspecies exhibits strong instinctive aggregation behavior, preferentially clustering nests even when suitable cavities are abundant. It develops through complete metamorphosis with overwintering as a prepupa, and has been managed commercially for sunflower pollination.
Melissodes
long-horned bees
Melissodes is a large genus of long-horned bees in the tribe Eucerini, with approximately 129-140 described species native to the Americas. Males are named for their characteristically long antennae that extend well beyond the head. The genus exhibits diverse pollen specialization strategies, with females ranging from polylectic to oligolectic, particularly on Asteraceae. Species are economically important as crop pollinators, especially for sunflower.
Svastra
long-horned bees
Svastra is a genus of long-horned bees in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. These solitary, ground-nesting bees are native to North America and are important pollinators of sunflowers and other members of the Asteraceae family. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with North American species formerly placed in Svastra now moved to Epimelissodes. Females construct nests in hard-packed soil with cells arranged in spiral patterns, while males are known to form nighttime sleeping aggregations on vegetation.
Svastra obliqua expurgata
sunflower bee, long-horned digger bee, female long-horned bee
Svastra obliqua expurgata is a subspecies of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, native to western North America. It is commonly known as the 'sunflower bee' due to its strong preference for foraging on sunflowers and other members of the Asteraceae family. The species has been reclassified taxonomically, with some authorities placing North American species formerly in genus Svastra into the genus Epimelissodes. It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee that plays an important role in pollinating native and agricultural plants in its range.