Long-horned Bee

Description:

Long-horned bees belong to the Anthophorini tribe, commonly known as 'digger bees' & excavate their nests in the ground. They often hide their nest entrances beneath leaf litter or in the grass. Nests are long tunnels, lined with salivary gland secretions to keep them from collapsing, with brood cells as terminal branches. All digger bees are solitary nesters but some species nest in dense aggregations. This particular species is very dark in coloration.

Habitat:

Eastern U.S. west to Colorado & New Mexico. Protected areas adequate for nesting & areas of flowers.

Notes:

Observed on Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis).