Family Megachilidae > Genus Hoplitis
Hoplitis
Small Mason Bees
In Minnesota, there are five described species within the genus Hoplitis. All of these species are polylectic and have solitary nests aboveground in plant stems or cavities in wood. The nest brood cells are partitioned and lined with masticated leaves often combined with pith from the plant stem.
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Hoplitis are small to medium black bees with light blue-green eyes, a moderately pitted thorax and abdomen, a rounded thorax, an arolium present (pad between tarsal claws), and white apical hair bands on the abdominal segments (tergites). These hair bands are interrupted on at least the first and second abdominal segments (T1 and T2). The five species in Minnesota produce one generation per year (univoltine) and overwinter in a prepupal stage (in a spun silken cocoon). The following spring pupation occurs, then adults emerge in late spring. Hoplitis females collect pollen on hairs on the underside of their abdomen. Both males and females have a curling (concave) abdomen. Hoplitis males have unusual antennae that terminate in hooks or a sharp point, and some species have enlarged scapes. Some males also have a keel-like projection on their second sternite (underside of abdominal segment). Bees in this genus range in length from 6.5 to 13 mm (0.25 to 0.51 inches).
A Hoplitis female visiting Penstemon hirsutus.
wing
position
on flowers
N0. species in MN
5
size range
Phenology
Genus Characteristics
Males with hooked antennae or antennae terminating in sharp point. Some species with enlarged scapes.
male
White hair bands on rims of tergites interrupted in the middle on at least the 1st and 2nd tergite (T1 and T2).
female
Black bees with white apical hair bands on the abdomen. Females collect pollen on hairs on the underside of the abdomen.
female
female
Light blue-green eyes, white hairs on thorax, moderately pitted integument.
Distribution
Hoplitis albifrons
Hoplitis pilosifrons
Hoplitis producta
Hoplitis spoliata
Hoplitis truncata
Hoplitis Species in Minnesota
Scientific Name | Nest Substrate | Nest Materials |
|---|---|---|
Hoplitis albifrons | wood, plant stems | masticated leaves mixed with pebbles |
Hoplitis pilosifrons | plant stems | masticated leaves mixed with stem pith |
Hoplitis producta | elderberry, sumac, rose stems | masticated leaves |
Hoplitis spoliata | dead sumac stems, + | masticated leaves |
Hoplitis truncata | plant stems |
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Bee Species List (August 2023).
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/mcbs/mn-statewide-bee-list.pdf
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Note: Two genera/species on the state list are not included in this guide: Ashmeadiella bucconis (last seen in Minnesota in 1949) and Trachusa zebrata (last seen in Minnesota in 1939). If either of these species is rediscovered in the state, they will be added to the guide at that time.
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Citations and Further Reading
Droege, S., et al. (2024). The Very Handy Bee Manual: 2.0. How to Catch and Identify Bees and Manage a Collection.
Gibbs, J., Hanuschuk, E., Miller, R., Dubois, M., Martini, M., Robinson, S., ... & Onuferko, T. M. (2023). A checklist of the bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Manitoba, Canada. The Canadian Entomologist, 155, e3.
Michener, C. D. (1947). A revision of the American species of Hoplitis (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae). Bulletin of the AMNH; v. 89, article 4.
​Michener, C. D. (1955). Some biological observations on Hoplitis pilosifrons and Stelis lateralis (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 28(3), 81-87.
Mitchell, T. B. (1960). Bees of the eastern United States. Technical Bulletin No. 141. North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station.
Portman, Z. M., Gardner, J., Lane, I. G., Gerjets, N., Petersen, J. D., Ascher, J. S., ... & Cariveau, D. P. (2023). A checklist of the bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Minnesota. Zootaxa, 5304(1), 1-95.
​Rozen Jr, J. G., & Praz, C. J. (2016). Mature larvae and nesting biologies of bees currently assigned to the Osmiini (Apoidea: Megachilidae). American Museum Novitates, 2016(3864), 1-46.
Wilson, J. S., & Messinger Carril, O. J. (2016). The bees in your backyard: a guide to North America's bees. Princeton University Press.
Page Photography Credits
Heather Holm