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mgarr Hanover Twp., PA(Zone 6a) Jan 13, 2013

Could this be a Andrena bee? It has white on it's face as well and black and white right down to the tail end.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Jan 14, 2013

When i searched for Andrena species in NE US, I ran across this Cellophane Bee, Colletes inaequalis which looks a lot like what I can see of your pic...

http://bugguide.net/node/view/513806

Andrena images

http://bugguide.net/node/view/22574

And these Andrena prunorum images for comparison

http://bugguide.net/node/view/188358

This message was edited Jan 14, 2013 9:34 AM

This message was edited Jan 14, 2013 9:34 AM

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jan 14, 2013

More likely a leaf-cutting bee in the subfamily Megachilinae - note the pollen-carrying hairs on the underside of the abdomen.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/737636/bgimage

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mgarr Hanover Twp., PA(Zone 6a) Jan 15, 2013

Pollen collection seems to be easy for this bee. I have a few bee houses and some holes are covered with flower petals and foliage. I'm going to have to guess leaf-cutting bee. Thanks for all your help.

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ssipes Murphysboro, IL(Zone 6b) Jan 22, 2013

Flapdoodle is right, that bee is in the family Megachilidae, the leaf cutting bees. (definitely not an Andrena or a Colletes). Megachilids are the only bees that carry their pollen load underneath their abdomen, rather than on their hind legs.

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mgarr Hanover Twp., PA(Zone 6a) Jan 22, 2013

I'll try and remember the tip about pollen being carried underneath their abdomen. I have many bees in my yard. Thanks again.

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