Punctate Masked Bee
(Hylaeus punctatus)
Notes: Like other masked bees, they lack external pollen-carrying structures (scopa) on their legs or abdomen and instead carry pollen internally. At first I thought this was a tiny wasp.
Distribution: Originally from Europe and the Palearctic region, it has established populations in parts of North America and South America.
Camera: iPhone 16 ProMax
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Solitary nesting behavior. Females use pre-existing cavities rather than excavating nests. Pollen and nectar transport occurs via internal storage (crop) rather than external scopae or corbiculae. Readily uses artificial nest boxes with small diameter holes. Males may congregate near nesting sites.
