Slender-faced Masked Bee
Hylaeus leptocephalus
This record describes Hylaeus leptocephalus (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Hylaeus leptocephalus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hylaeus_leptocephalus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Colletidae (Cellophane, Plasterer, Masked, and Allied Bees)
- Subfamily
- Diphaglossinae
- Genus
- Hylaeus (Masked Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Has been found nesting with halictid Bees in cavities within an earthen bank. Barrows, 1975
Geographic Range
Widespread in the US excluding Texas to Alabama. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
From May until September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Has a tendency toward oligolecty. Collects pollen almost primarily from Fabaceae, especially Melilotus , a plant introduced from Europe. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Morawitz, 1871. One of the junior synonyms long applied to the introduced North American population honors Orin A. Stevens of North Dakota.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Hylaeus leptocephalus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Slender-faced Masked Bee (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Slender-faced Masked Bee
How big is Slender-faced Masked Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 5-6 mm. |
| Male | Length 4-6 mm. |
Where is Slender-faced Masked Bee found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Has been found nesting with halictid Bees in cavities within an earthen bank. Barrows, 1975 |
| Range | Widespread in the US excluding Texas to Alabama. Discover Life Map |
What does Slender-faced Masked Bee eat?
The diet of the Slender-faced Masked Bee includes Has a tendency toward oligolecty. Collects pollen almost primarily from Fabaceae, especially Melilotus , a plant introduced from Europe. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Slender-faced Masked Bee active?
Slender-faced Masked Bee: seasonal activity - From May until September..