Which Native Bees Will Move Into Your Bee Hotel?

Ancistrocerus is a genus of potter wasp that is named for the way the last segment of the antennae on the males is hooked. (The definition of ancistroid literally means "hook shaped.") One of the species we track, the Yellow Ab Wasp (Ancistrocerus tuberculocephalus) is considered imperiled in Canada.

Dipogon is a type of wasp that feeds on spiders. Their name means "two beard" and comes from the tufts of hair on the females that are below their mandibles which play a role in nest construction. These are very small wasps, with sizes ranging from 3-12mm, that are generally not well studied or understood.

Euodynerus is another genus of potter wasp, closely related to Pachodynerus (covered below). Some species, like the Grand Mason Wasp (Euodynerus megaera), Euodynerus schwarzi, and Euodynerus hidalgo are considered critically imperiled in Canada.

Heriades is a genus of solitary bee that often make their nests out of resin. They are typically black, and have mandibles that are well suited for scraping resin off plants. Their name means "wool", and is likely a reference to the patches of hair found on the abdomen of some species. They are typically very small, with sizes ranging from 4-7mm.

Hoplitis are a genus of bee, often dark in colour, who carry pollen in brushes of hair under the abdomen called scopae. They are usually smaller in size than Osmia and Megachile bees (covered below) with lengths ranging from 3-18mm, and often have white hairs separating the sections of their abdomen.

Hylaeus are a genus of bee most oftened called "masked bee" for the distinctive mask-like colouring on their faces of the males. They are often mistaken for wasps, as they have the rare attribute among bees of not having an external scopa to carry pollen and nectar, which they instead carry internally in their crop. Their nests are constructed with a cellophane-like liquid that is produced from their Dufour's gland.

Isodontia are more commonly known as grass-carrying wasps, as they construct their nests out of strands of grass or hay. Their nests will often be filled with small grasshoppers, locusts or crickets that they capture to feed their young. In their interactions with humans, you can sometimes find their nests in the narrow gaps around windows.

Megachile is a large genus of solitary bee, often called leaf-cutters (though that isn't always accurate, with some species preferring to use materials other than leaves to make their nests).

Numerous species, such as the Sculptured Resin Bee (Megachile sculpturalis), Woolly Wall Bee (Megachile lanata), and Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee (Megachile rotundata) are considered introduced species in parts of North America. Megachile angelarum is considered critically imperiled in parts of the US and along with Megachile gentilis is considered vulnerable in Canada.

Monobia is another species of potter wasp primarily occuring in the eastern United States and Canada, and parts of Mexico. They typically produce two generations per year, with the adults primarily feeding on a diet of pollen while providing their young with caterpillars.

Osmia is a genus of bee often called "mason bees" because of their tendency to construct their nests from mud or similar substances. This is a large genus with the bees coming in a wide range of colours and sizes. They generally emerge early in the season when temperatures are still low, and produce only one generation per year.

The Horn-faced Mason Bee (Osmia cornifrons), Blue Mason Bee (Osmia caerulescens) and Taurus Mason Bee (Osmia taurus) are all considered to be introduced species in the US and Canada.

Pachodynerus are another genus of potter wasp that exists through all of the Americas (but rarely in Canada), and are closely related to Euodynerus.

Parancistrocerus is a large genus of potter wasp that primarily feeds on caterpillars. They are also known for having a symbiotic relationship with saproglyphid mites, with each wasp species having a mite that is specific to them. The Perennial Mason Wasp (Parancistrocerus perennis) is considered imperiled in Canada.

Passaloecus are a genus of small wasps that feed on aphids (making them a favourite among gardeners), and build their nests from resin. They typically emerge in the spring and produce one generation per year.

Stenodynerus is a large genus of potter wasp that is closely related to Parancistrocerus. Unlike Parancistrocerus, however, Stenodynerus do not carry mites on their abdomens.

Symmorphus is a potter wasp that feeds primarily on caterpillars and beetle larvae. They are distinguished from other potter wasps by subtle differences in parts of their abdomen, that are most easily recognized using a microscope.

Trypoxylon are a genus of solitary wasp that is part of the Crabronidae family. They come in a very wide range of sizes, and all known species hunt spiders, and build their nests from mud.