Sculptured Resin Bee (Megachile sculpturalis)

Occurrence Status: Confirmed

Identification: Large and distinctive, this may be the ‘scariest’ looking bee in Vermont with a heavily sculptured body and large mandibles.

Distribution: The first known specimen from Vermont was collected in 2010. It remains uncommon and patchily distributed. Like many Megachile sp., it is a cavity nester and has been known to take over holes of Eastern Carpenter Bees.

Check out the map below to see where Sculptured Resin Bees have been seen in Vermont.

Banner Photo: © matthew_wills