# Sculptured Resin Bee (*megachile sculpturalis*) The Sculptured Resin Bee is a small but fascinating insect that loves to collect resin from trees. These bees are great pollinators, helping flowers and plants grow all around us! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Sculptured Resin Bees can be found in gardens, parks, and forests, where there are plenty of flowers. - **Also known as:** Resin Bee, Sculptured Bee ![Sculptured Resin Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sculptured_Resin_Bee_on_flowers_-_Rose_Garden_bridge_3_NBG_-_Flickr_-_Puddin_Tain.jpg&width=800) Photo: Puddin Tain, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sculptured_Resin_Bee_on_flowers_-_Rose_Garden_bridge_3_NBG_-_Flickr_-_Puddin_Tain.jpg) ## Appearance The Sculptured Resin Bee is a robust, large bee with a mostly dark brownish-black body. It has sparse yellowish-brown hairs on its head and thorax, and a noticeably broad head and powerful mandibles, making it look quite distinct from smaller, fuzzier native bees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Megachilidae - **Genus:** Megachile ## Interesting facts - Female bees build individual 'apartments' for each egg, complete with a food supply. - It's an immigrant! This bee traveled all the way from Asia to new continents, expanding its home. - They use the sticky sap from trees to build their nests, not mud or twigs like other bees! - Unlike honeybees, they don't live in big colonies or make honey for us to eat. ## Special abilities - **Resin Architect:** Sculptured Resin Bee can construct durable nest cells from sticky tree resin because it hardens quickly, providing strong protection for its developing young. - **Giant Pollen Gatherer:** Has a large, sturdy body that allows it to carry substantial amounts of pollen, efficiently helping many flowers reproduce and spread seeds. - **Powerful Jaw Worker:** Can chew and mold tough resin using its strong mandibles because they are specialized tools, perfect for shaping its unique home. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-40 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Pollen and nectar fuel this bee, helping it grow and lay eggs. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, pollen, Lagerstroemia indica, Hibiscus syriacus, Pueraria montana - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Crape Myrtle (*Lagerstroemia indica*) — A favorite flower for nectar. - **Pollinates:** [Rose of Sharon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-of-sharon) (*Hibiscus syriacus*) — Provides essential pollen and nectar. - **Depends on:** [Eastern White Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-white-pine) (*Pinus strobus*) — Sources resin for nest construction. ## Traits - [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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [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 No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sculptured Resin 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 Sculptured Resin Bee's wingspan? 25-40 mm ### How big is Sculptured Resin Bee? 15-25 mm ### How long does Sculptured Resin Bee live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Sculptured Resin Bee fly? 20 km/h ### What does Sculptured Resin Bee eat? Pollen and nectar fuel this bee, helping it grow and lay eggs. ### Where is Sculptured Resin Bee usually found? Sculptured Resin Bees can be found in gardens, parks, and forests, where there are plenty of flowers. ### How does Sculptured Resin Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Garland Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garland-hill-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Market Square](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/market-square) — Tennessee, US · Historic District - [Augusta Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/augusta-canal) — Georgia, US · Historic Site - [Capitol Hill](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-hill) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Cutler Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cutler-botanic-garden) — New York, US · Botanical Garden - [Georgia Avenue-Butler Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgia-avenue-butler-avenue-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District [View all places to see Sculptured Resin Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sculptured-resin-bee) ## 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: [Sculptured Resin Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sculptured-resin-bee)