# Two-spotted Longhorn Bee (*Melissodes bimaculatus*) The Two-spotted Longhorn Bee is a small, fuzzy bee with two distinct spots on its back. These friendly bees love to visit flowers and help plants grow by spreading pollen. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Two-spotted Longhorn Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Melissodes_bimaculatus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Original uploader was Pollinator at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melissodes_bimaculatus.jpg) ## Appearance The Two-spotted Longhorn Bee is a medium-sized bee, typically dark brown to black with a fuzzy, golden-yellow thorax and a black abdomen. Females have two distinct white or pale yellow spots on the abdomen, and males possess exceptionally long, curved antennae that can be as long as their body. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Melissodes ## Interesting facts - Its scientific name, 'bimaculatus,' means 'two-spotted,' referring to the female's distinctive markings! - Male longhorn bees have antennae nearly as long as their body! - They are speedy pollinators, loving sunflowers and coneflowers in summer! - Unlike honeybees, each female digs her own cozy underground nest! ## Special abilities - **Pollen Power:** Two-spotted Longhorn Bee can carry large loads of pollen because of dense, branched hairs on their hind legs called scopa. - **Earth Architect:** Two-spotted Longhorn Bee can build individual nests by digging burrows in the soil that helps protect their young from predators. - **Floral Friend:** Two-spotted Longhorn Bee has a fuzzy body that helps them efficiently transfer pollen between flowers, aiding in plant reproduction. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-22 mm - **Size:** 9-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 1 ## Diet & Feeding They collect sweet nectar for energy and protein-rich pollen to feed their growing young. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Pollen, Sunflower pollen, Aster nectar, Thistle nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Sunflower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sunflower) (*Helianthus annuus*) — Collects nectar and pollen, aiding its reproduction. - **Pollinates:** [Wild Bergamot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-bergamot) (*Monarda fistulosa*) — Transfers pollen between flowers, helping the plant spread seeds. - **Pollinates:** Black-eyed Susan (*Rudbeckia hirta*) — Feeds on nectar, carrying pollen from flower to flower. - **Eaten by:** [Yellow Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — Often caught in the web of this common garden spider. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — A tasty snack for this colorful bird when foraging. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [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 Watch bees from a distance and don't bother them while they are working. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Two-spotted Longhorn 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 Two-spotted Longhorn Bee's wingspan? 15-22 mm ### How big is Two-spotted Longhorn Bee? 9-14 mm ### How long does Two-spotted Longhorn Bee live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Two-spotted Longhorn Bee fly? 18 km/h ### What does Two-spotted Longhorn Bee eat? They collect sweet nectar for energy and protein-rich pollen to feed their growing young. ### Where is Two-spotted Longhorn Bee usually found? Grasslands ### How does Two-spotted Longhorn Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Ashley River Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashley-river-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Botanical Research Institute of Texas](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/botanical-research-institute-of-texas) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Centennial Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Columbia Historic District I](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-historic-district-i) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [French Quarter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/french-quarter) — US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Two-spotted Longhorn Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/two-spotted-longhorn-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: [Two-spotted Longhorn Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/two-spotted-longhorn-bee)