MEGACHILIDAE

subfamily MEGACHILINAE

Anthidium manicatum (Linnaeus, 1758)

A wool-carder bee introduced from Europe. Females collect hairs from plants such as Lamb's Ear, which are used to line brood cells. Females are solitary and nest in cavities. Males are larger than females and defend floral patches against intruders. This species has become widespread in North America, although it is most common in urban areas. These two females were photographed in downtown Ithaca. Anthidium manicatum has spread across the continent (read more here).

Anthidium oblongatum (Illiger, 1806)

A non-native species introduced from Europe, which is now quite common in the northeast. Females are solitary and nest in cavities. They can be commonly seen visiting legumes like this one approaching a Lotus (bird's foot trefoil) flower near Cornell campus.

Paranthidium jugatorium (Say, 1824)

A native anthidiine bee with a preference for composite flowers. This female was photographed on Helianthus at the Mundy Wildflower Garden, where the species is abundant in summer. I never saw the bee in Tompkins County outside this area. A deceptively similar cleptoparasitic anthidiine bee, Stelis louisiae, was collected at the same site.

Megachile rotundata (Fabricius, 1787)

Yet another non-native megachilid bee, which is very common in North America. This is the Alfalfa Leaf-cutter Bee. It is an important pollinator of alfalfa, but will also visit many other flowers. This female is returning to an artificial nest block with a cut leaf piece. She will use this and other leaf pieces to create brood chambers for her young.

Megachile pugnata Say, 1837

The Pugnacious Leaf-cutter bee, is a native species which specializes on Asteraceae. Unlike Megachile rotundata it uses masticated leaves in its nest, rather than whole pieces. This species is relatively large, slender and has a distinctive prong on the female's cheek. This female is investigating a possible nest in a log, but it is already occupied by another female. Photographed in East Lansing, Michigan.

Images are copyright of Jason Gibbs. Please do not use without permission.