Genus Dianthidium - Pebble Bees

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Range · Remarks · Internet References · Works Cited

Another insect to ID please. - Dianthidium - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps)

No Taxon (Apoidea (clade Anthophila) - Bees)

Family Megachilidae (Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies)

Subfamily Megachilinae (Leafcutter, Resin, Mortar, Sharptail, Mason, and Woolcarder bees and relatives)

Tribe Anthidiini (Wool-carder, Resin, Pebble, and Allied Bees)

Genus Dianthidium (Pebble Bees)

Explanation of Names

Dianthidium Cockerell 1900

Numbers

23 spp. in 3 subgenera in our area (all but 3 in the nominate subgenus), ~30 spp. in 4 subgenera total(1)

Identification

"The lamellate, expanded pronotal lobes and the convex, semicircular mesoscutellum margins are diagnostic for this genus" KJH (ref.)

The pronotal lobes of Dianthidium have edges that are paper thin and translucent. Other Anthidiini have thin edges but never as thin as Dianthidium. (2)

As shown here with the arrows:

Range

precinctive, or endemic, to NA (so. Canada to Costa Rica)(1)

Remarks

They construct cells of pebbles glued together with resin and placed on twigs, or on roots below the soil surface, or in any available burrows or borings.

Internet References

Discover Life

Works Cited

1.	Ascher J.S., Pickering J. (2017) Discover Life bee species guide and world checklist (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila)

2.	The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America's Bees. Joseph S. Wilson & Olivia J. Messinger Carril. 2015. Princeton University Press.

Contributed by Beatriz Moisset on 23 September, 2006 - 5:07pm
Additional contributions by Mike Quinn, John S. Ascher, v belov, hg, Marci Hess
Last updated 28 May, 2020 - 10:49pm

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