Long-Horned bee

Description:

Melissodes are small to medium bees that are between 0.3 to 0.7 inches long (Michener 2000). They are robust with fuzzy yellow hairs and conspicuous hairy legs. The lower front part of the face on the female is usually yellow. The female carries dry pollen on scopa (brushes of hair) on her hind legs . Like other genera in the Tribe Eucerini, such as Eucera, males often have very long antennae, thus earning them the common name “long-horned bees”. Melissodes males’ antennae are sometimes orange.

Habitat:

Gardens