Eucera

Eucera is a genus of long-horned bees in the family Apidae. These bees are found across a wide geographical area, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. They are known for their distinctive, exceptionally long antennae in males, a characteristic feature from which the common name "long-horned bee" is derived.

Eucera bees are solitary or communal nesting bees, meaning they do not form large social colonies like honeybees or bumblebees. Instead, individual females construct and provision their own nests, although sometimes multiple nests are found clustered together in suitable locations. Nests are typically built in the ground, and individual cells are provisioned with pollen and nectar for the developing larvae.

The pollen and nectar collected by Eucera species often come from a limited range of plant species, making them important pollinators for specific flowering plants. This specialization can make them vulnerable to habitat loss and changes in floral resources.

Taxonomically, the genus Eucera is diverse, with many described species, and ongoing research continues to refine the classification and understanding of their evolutionary relationships. Their distribution, behavior, and pollen preferences vary across different species within the genus.