Black Megachile

Still not fully identified at Bugguide, this leaf-cutting bee was bathing in hawkweed (Hieracium sp.) pollen, something it is well-evolved to do. The major pollen-gathering site on Megachile species is under the length of the abdomen and called the ‘scopa‘. The scopa on this bee (not clearly visible) is orange. You can read more about Megachile species in the garden [...]