The Pallid Bee is a large, robust solitary bee of the Sonoran Desert with cream-yellow and black patterning. Males dig up unmated females from their underground pupal cells and compete frantically in scramble competition before females even emerge. Females provision deep underground nests with desert plant oils mixed with pollen. It is a key pollinator of palo verde and other desert trees.
Best time to see a Pallid Bee
The best time to see a Pallid Bee is April–May, when about 90% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 349 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Pallid Bee? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Pallid Bee sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Pallid Bee? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Pallid Bee is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.