Megachilidae is a cosmopolitan family of mostly solitary bees whose pollen-carrying structure is restricted to the ventral surface of the abdomen. Megachilid genera are most commonly known as mason bees and leafcutter bees, reflecting the materials from which they build their nest cells ; a few collect plant or animal hairs and fibers, and are called carder bees, while others use plant resins in nest construction and are correspondingly called resin bees. All species feed on nectar and pollen, but a few are kleptoparasites, feeding on pollen collected by other megachilid bees. Parasitic species do not possess scopae. The motion of Megachilidae in the reproductive structures of flowers is energetic and swimming-like; this agitation releases large amounts of pollen.
Mason bee is a name now commonly used for species of bees in the genus Osmia, of the family Megachilidae. Mason bees are named for their habit of using mud or other "masonry" products in constructing their nests, which are made in naturally occurring gaps such as between cracks in stones or other small dark cavities. When available, some species preferentially use hollow stems or holes in wood made by wood-boring insects.
Charles Thomas Bingham was an Irish military officer and entomologist.
Anthidium is a genus of bees often called carder or potter bees, who use conifer resin, plant hairs, mud, or a mix of them to build nests. They are in the family Megachilidae which is cosmopolitan in distribution and made up of species that are mostly solitary bees with pollen-carrying scopa that are only located on the ventral surface of the abdomen. Other bee families have the pollen-carrying structures on the hind legs. Typically species of Anthidium feed their brood on pollen and nectar from plants. Anthidium florentinum bees are distinguished from most of its relatives by yellow or brick-red thoracic bands. They fly all summer and make the nests in holes in the ground, walls or trees, with hairs plucked from plants.
Anthidium florentinum, one of several European wool carder bees, is a territorial species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium manicatum, commonly called the European wool carder bee is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter bees or mason bees.
Anthidium utahense is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium severini is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium porterae is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees. This bee was named in honour of Wilmatte Porter Cockerell.
Anthidium placitum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium mormonum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium montivagum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium maculosum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees. It is a solitary bee where the males are territorial and the females take part in polyandry. The males of A. maculosum differ from most other males of bee species because the males are significantly larger than females. In addition, subordinate males that act as satellites are smaller than territory-owning males. This species can be found predominately in Mexico and the United States.
Anthidium latum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium funereum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium emarginatum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium collectum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Anthidium abjunctum is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Xylocopa caerulea, the blue carpenter bee, is a species of carpenter bee.
