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Melissodes bimaculata

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description Melissodes bimaculata Overview

Melissodes bimaculata, commonly known as the two-spotted longhorn bee, is a solitary ground-nesting insect native to North America. Males are recognized by their exceptionally long antennae, while females possess prominent hairs on their hind legs specifically for pollen collection. This species is notable for its specialized foraging behavior, as it feeds primarily on plants within the sunflower family.

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What plants do Melissodes bimaculata bees forage on?

Melissodes bimaculata, the two-spotted longhorn bee, specializes in foraging on plants in the Asteraceae family, including sunflowers, asters, goldenrod, and ragweed. This specialization makes them important pollinators for late-summer wildflowers and agricultural crops like sunflowers.

Are two-spotted longhorn bees solitary or social?

Melissodes bimaculata are solitary ground-nesting bees, meaning each female digs her own nest in the soil rather than living in a colony with a queen. They often nest in aggregations, however, with many individuals digging burrows close together in bare or sparsely vegetated ground.

Where can you find Melissodes bimaculata in North America?

Melissodes bimaculata is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, from the Great Plains to the Atlantic coast. They are most active and commonly observed in mid to late summer when their preferred Asteraceae host plants are blooming.

Do two-spotted longhorn bees sting humans?

Like most solitary bees, female Melissodes bimaculata can sting but are not aggressive and rarely do so unless physically handled. Males cannot sting at all, and the species poses no meaningful threat to humans in normal garden or field conditions.

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