# Pacific Digger Bee (*Anthophora pacifica*) The Pacific Digger Bee is a small, fuzzy bee that loves to dig in the ground. They are great pollinators and help flowers grow by spreading pollen. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Pacific Digger Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Melecta_pacifica%252C_f%252C_side%252C_md%252C_pg_2015-05-14-09.54.48_ZS_PMax.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melecta_pacifica%252C_f%252C_side%252C_md%252C_pg_2015-05-14-09.54.48_ZS_PMax.jpg) ## Appearance The Pacific Digger Bee is a robust, fuzzy bee, typically covered in dense yellowish-brown to grayish hairs. It has a distinctively rounded body and clear wings, making it look like a tiny, furry bomber with a short, stout abdomen. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Anthophora ## Interesting facts - Female digger bees are amazing architects, building a new, private nursery chamber for each egg! - Their fuzzy bodies act like little sweaters, helping them stay warm on cooler, breezy days! - They often 'buzz pollinate' certain flowers by vibrating their bodies to shake out pollen! - Unlike honeybees, Pacific Digger Bees live alone and don't make honey or wax for us! ## Special abilities - **Tunnel Engineer:** Pacific Digger Bee can dig intricate underground tunnels because of strong legs and specialized mouthparts, helping create safe nurseries. - **Pollen Collector Extraordinaire:** Pacific Digger Bee has dense, branched hairs on its body and legs that helps them efficiently collect and transport pollen. - **Buzz Pollinator:** Pacific Digger Bee can vibrate its flight muscles rapidly (buzzing) that helps release pollen from certain flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 18-28 mm - **Size:** 10-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 1 ## Diet & Feeding These fuzzy bees sip nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen to feed their babies. - **Age differences:** Adults feed on nectar, while larvae consume pollen and nectar provisioned by the mother. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Lupine flowers, Clarkia flowers, Penstemon flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Miniature Lupine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/miniature-lupine) (*Lupinus bicolor*) — An important source of nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** [Elegant Clarkia](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elegant-clarkia) (*Clarkia unguiculata*) — Buzz pollinated by the bee for its pollen. - **Pollinates:** Scarlet Bugler (*Penstemon centranthifolius*) — Visited for its sweet nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Goldenrod Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goldenrod-crab-spider) (*Misumena vatia*) — Ambush predator on flowers, waiting for bees. - **Eaten by:** Robber Fly (*Asilus sericeus*) — Insect predator that captures bees in flight. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and watch where you step, as bees are busy working. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pacific Digger Bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Pacific Digger Bee's wingspan? 18-28 mm ### How big is Pacific Digger Bee? 10-14 mm ### How long does Pacific Digger Bee live? 20-60 days ### How fast can Pacific Digger Bee fly? 20 km/h ### What does Pacific Digger Bee eat? These fuzzy bees sip nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen to feed their babies. ### Where is Pacific Digger Bee usually found? Urban areas ### How does Pacific Digger Bee hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Pacific Digger Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-digger-bee)