USGS Native Bee Photos

Cemolobus ipomoeae  is a morning glory specialist with a tongue so long that, even when folded, it reaches to its abdomen.

Dieunomia xerophila often nests in huge groups in sandy soil.

Megachile frugalis is an uncommon bee that gathers pollen and carries it under its abdomen rather than on its legs like many other species.

Coelioxys coturnix is a nest parasite of other introduced bees in the inner city, laying its eggs in their nests and their young subsequently killing the host's young and eating the provisions of the nest.

Anthidiellum notatum is a tiny e Midsummer bee fond plants in sandy, open areas.

Habropoda laboriosa is known as the southeasterly blueberry bee this early spring bee looks a lot like a bumblebee but feeds almost exclusively on blueberry and related plant pollen.

Agapostemon splendens is attracted to the salt in people’s sweat and can be found in sandy soils and along the coastal dunes of eastern North America.

Megachile frugalis is an uncommon bee that gathers pollen and carries it under its abdomen rather than on its legs like many other species.

Dianthidium simile nests in the base of clumps of grass in nest cells made of sand mixed with pine resin.

Osmia distincta is a spring bee one often found gathering pollen from wild scrubby flowering plants.

Perdita latior among the smallest species in North America measures 2 mm in length.

Anthophora bomboides is a bumblebee look-alike, but from a completely different family than bumblebees and not forming colonies but nesting in exposed banks of soil.

Ceratina strenua is smaller than the size of a grain of rice and nests in the cut tips of plant stems; burrowing into the soft pith.