About the Ochraceous Chimney Bee
Diadasia ochracea, commonly known as the ochraceous chimney bee, is a species of solitary bee in the family Apinae, tribe Emphorini. It is native to North America and middle American, including the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Manitoba, Canada. The species is primarily oligolectic, specializing in pollen collection from plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), particularly Sphaeralcea species.
Diadasia ochracea was originally described by Cockerell in 1903 as Dasiapis ochracea. Synonyms include Dasiapis ochracea and Diadasia blaisdelli.It is classified in the subgenus Dasiapis, which includes small-to moderate-sized, oligolectic species specializing in Malvaceae pollen.
Members of Diadasia ochracea are medium-small bees with lush, pale-gold or ochraceous hairs. Females have conspicuous blond scopal hairs on their hind legs for pollen collection, with additional brushes on their front-leg tibiae. The inner hind tibia may have black or dark reddish-orange hairs. Males have a pale yellow clypeus and occasionally pale labrum. Wings are light brown with brown veins. Eyes are green or blue-green. Adult females are approximately 8 mm long, while... Wikipedia →