Megachilidae: Carder Bees (Anthidium spp.)

categories: Bees Megachilidae Pollinators

last review date: 2026-04-26 08:26

Biology

Carder bees are so named because they ‘card’ or comb cottony down from hairy leaves using it to construct brood cells. There are 23 species in North America with at least one species, Anthidium maculosum, in the Pacific Northwest.

A European species, Anthidium manicatum, was accidentally introduced into North America in the early 1960s and it is now widespread in the US, including Washington State. This is the Anthidium species, most likely to be seen in Washington home gardens.

Anthidium manicatum is robust-bodied, about the size of a honeybee and brightly patterned in yellow and black, similar to a yellowjacket wasp. It nests in existing cavities like cracks in walls or knot holes in wood.

Nest cells are formed that use hairs shaved from pubescent leaves of plants like Mullein. Cells are provisioned with pollen and nectar.

Wool carder bees are fast fliers, and capable of hovering. Males are aggressive, defending territories from other bees.

Attracting and Keeping Natural Enemies and Pollinators in Your Yard and Garden

• Avoid regular use of synthetic, broad-spectrum pesticides.
• Infrequent use of certain narrow-spectrum pesticides is more compatible with some beneficials but generally the less chemical inputs there are, the greater and more diverse the beneficial insect community will be.
• Extensive lawns are also not conducive to attracting and retaining a diversity of beneficial insects, mites and spiders. Minimize lawn areas and maximize shrub and bush plantings.
• Many beneficials reside naturally in riparian and other ‘natural’ areas near to many back yards. Natural dispersion from these refuges ensures that some beneficials will visit back yards but they will not stay unless food, host and shelter resources are available.
• Native plants have closer affinities with native insects and therefore provide most of these resources. A garden with a good diversity of local native flora in and around back yards, will improve the abundance and diversity of local, beneficial arthropods.
• Native flora also provides natural overwintering sites for many beneficial insects and it is useful to leave at least a small area of native vegetation undisturbed during fall and winter.
• Some kinds of beneficial insects (e.g. lady beetles, lacewings, predatory mites) are available for purchase from commercial suppliers. However, benefits from introducing these beneficials are usually limited and short-lived. Upon release, commercially obtained lady beetles and lacewings often disperse and may rapidly leave your backyard despite the presence of prey and suitable nectar resources. Generally, it is more effective and sustainable to create a garden habitat that will be colonized by beneficials naturally.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• None recommended