While uncommon to rare, this is a genus worthy of dedicated searching. A non-native bell flower specialist (C. campanularum) and a native Mock-Orange specialist (C. philadelphi) could both occur in gardens and be identified from photos. The only species so far found in Vermont is the Rampion Scissor Bee (C. rapunculi), which seems to favor mallows and bell flowers.
Genus level ID – Scissor bees are best identified by the elongated thorax, in combination with a dark body and few hairs. Females carry pollen under their abdomen. See also Resin Bees (Heriades) and Small Mason Bees (Hoplitis).
Scissor Bees (top) have an elongated thorax compared to resin bees (bottom) and others
A good key to the scissor bee species can be found here (males and females). Some, but probably not all, will be identifiable from photos.
