Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #376288
Research Project: Sustainable Crop Production and Wildland Preservation through the Management, Systematics, and Conservation of a Diversity of Bees

Location: Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research

Title: First records, phenology, habitat, and host-plant associations of Macrotera opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) in Montana

Author
item DELPHIA, CASEY - Montana State University
item Griswold, Terry

Submitted to: Journal of Melittology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2020
Publication Date: 5/7/2021
Citation: Delphia, C.M., Griswold, T.L. 2021. First records, phenology, habitat, and host-plant associations of Macrotera opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) in Montana. Journal of Melittology. (102):1-10. https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.i102.13700.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.i102.13700

Interpretive Summary: The little-known solitary bee, Macrotera (Cockerellula) opuntiae, sometimes called the sandstone mining bee, was recently found in Montana, USA, far from where this species was previously known in Colorado. This small bee is associated with cacti which are the pollen source for its offspring. This bee is remarkable in that it is one of only a handful of bees that build their nest in rocks. The sandstone mining bee has also been found in Nebraska, a new state record and records for western Colorado expand its known range in that state.

Technical Abstract: We document the first records of Macrotera (Cockerellula) opuntiae in Montana, USA, a considerable range expansion from where this species was previously known in Colorado. We briefly describe the habitat and host plant (cacti) associations, and the activity period of M. opuntiae adults in Montana. A new state record for Nebraska and new records for western Colorado are also reported.