313 Records

Status

"A Japanese Bee in America. This is Anthophora villosula. An Anthophora that was introduced in the 1980s to Eastern U.S. for ag purposes, but its potential was never realized. Now, unfortunately, it is a common and spreading alien species dispersing from its original location in the Washington, D.C. area and will likely occupy much of the country at some point. It can be found nesting in the dry dirt under decks, in upturned root masses, and in the earthen plaster of straw bale houses such as mine, where it nests by the hundreds. It does favor the 'alien' plant community over the natives so it will be another interesting story to watch how it integrates and competes with the local bee fauna. Another rock thrown into the quiet pool of native bees and their flowers." (S. Droege, pers. comm.)