Ptilothrix bombiformis
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~30%
Ptilothrix bombiformis, known generally as the hibiscus bee or eastern digger bee, is a species of solitary chimney bee in the family Apidae. It is found in the eastern United States and, rarely, in southern Ontario, Canada.
The hibiscus bee has a large, rounded body similar to a bumblebee, earning it the species epithet bombiformis (bumblebee-shaped). The hibiscus bee has yellow hairs on its head, mesosoma, and on the first segment of the metasoma. The remaining segments of the metasoma are black. Both males and females have very long, hairy legs, but the hind legs of the female are visibly hairier, as they have plumose branched hairs for transporting pollen and water to the nest.
The hibiscus bee has three main habitat requirements: the presence of Hibiscus flowers, water, and an area of hard-packed, dried mud ground in which to nest. Typically, these requirements are all met in a marshy area suitable for Hibiscus plants (commonly called hibiscus or mallows). However, these adaptable bees also use human-altered landscapes, finding pollen in hibiscus landscaping plants, nesting sites on dirt roads and levees, and sources of water such as puddles created... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
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More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | New York City | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Baltimore | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Houston | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Philadelphia | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Hibiscus Turret Bee sighting in Houston on a given day, based on 83 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 232nd most-seen of the 1057 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May to July
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Hibiscus Turret Bee in Houston on a given day, against under 5% in August to April, the lowest months.
4th of 5
Of the 5 cities where we can rate Hibiscus Turret Bee sightings, Houston ranks 4th at under 5%. The best odds are in Washington (United States, about 10%), New York City (United States, about 10%) and Baltimore (United States, under 5%).
Same family: Apidae
The closest relatives of the Hibiscus Turret Bee that you can see in Houston (family Apidae, Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, and Allies) are Eastern Carpenter Bee (about 20%), American Bumble Bee (about 20%) and Southern Carpenter Bee (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Hibiscus Turret Bee is recorded against all the insects logged in Houston (83 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
