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

Abstract

Abstract. Macrotera (Cockerellula) opuntiae (Cockerell) is a minute bee oligolectic on cacti and one of the few stone-nesting bee species. We document the first records of M. 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.

Chelostoma Latreille, 1809 (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) of Montana, including first records of the introduced bees Chelostoma campanularum (Kirby, 1802) and Chelostoma rapunculi (Lepeletier, 1841)

“…The Montana records serve as important baseline data for tracking the spread of non-native bee species across North America and for monitoring the potential impacts these introduced species could have on local biodiversity, including both native bees and native plants. They also add to an on-going inventory of the wild bees of Montana (e.g., Dolan et al 2017, Delphia & Griswold 2021) and to our overall understanding of the distribution of the bee fauna in North America.…”