Megachilidae - mason and leaf cutter bees

Megachilidae is a large family of bees that includeds mason, leaf cutter, wool carder, and resin bees. This family is unique in that the females gather pollen on the underside of their abdomens, rather than on their legs like most bees. You can sometims see females of this family on flowers "tapping" their abdomen on the flower to collect pollen! Many also nest in cavities, such as inside stems or holes, although some do nest in the ground like other solitary bees. 

Bee size

• small to medium

Known number of species in WA

• 77

Megachilidae genera in Washington

• Anthidiellum
• Anthidium
• Ashmeadiella
• Atoposmia
• Chelostoma
• Coelioxys
• Dianthidium
• Dioxys
• Heriades
• Hoplitis
• Megachile
• Osmia
• Protosmia
• Stelis

Characteristics

• Carry pollen on abdomen
• Elongated labrum

Check out more Washington mason and leaf cutter bee observations on iNaturalist.

Andrenidae · Apidae · Colletidae · Halictidae · Megachilidae · Melittidae · Cuckoo Bees · Species of Greatest Conservation Need · Honey bees