Longhorn Bees

Genus Melissodes​

Named for the males’ very long antenna. Females are distinguished by their shorter antennae and abundant, long-haired scopae on their hind legs, used for dry-packing pollen as they collect it. Melissodes bees often have striking blue or green eyes, and both males and females are very hairy bees. Long-horned bees are solitary, but some species do form nesting aggregations in the soil.