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Habropoda laboriosa
The southeastern blueberry bee, Habropoda laboriosa, is a native bee in the family Apidae in the United States. It is regarded as the most efficient pollinator of southern rabbiteye blueberries, as the flowers require buzz pollination, and H. laboriosa is one of the few bees that exhibit this behavior. Female 15.5-16mm. Male 13-14 mm.
Range is Illinois to the New England states, south to Mississippi and Florida. Typically observed November, January and February in Florida, elsewhere March to May. This one was spotted feeding on crabapple (Malus sp.) in Edgefield County, SC.
It is also known as the Southeastern Blueberry Bee but it occurs north to New England. This spotting was confirmed on BugGuide.net. Food is primarily blueberry.
Spotted on Mar 18, 2012
Submitted on Feb 21, 2015
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