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There is a growing interest to document and better understand patterns and processes involved in non-native bee introductions and subsequent colonisation of new areas worldwide. We studied the spread of the East Asian bee Megachile sculpturalis in Serbia and south-eastern Europe; the bee was earlier established in the USA (since 1994) and western Europe (since 2008). Its establishment in Serbia remained dubious throughout most of 2017–2019, following its first detection. We hereby report on its establishment and spreading, which were corroborated in 2019 under specific circumstances. Owing to an exceptionally poor blooming of Styphnolobium japonicum in 2019, we recorded a high activity density of M. sculpturalis concentrated on a scarce key food resource. We present a novel quantitative approach for an improved early detection of M. sculpturalis, based on the interplay between the bee local occurrence pattern and dynamics of key food-plant(s) availability. This approach seems particularly effective during the early-phase colonisation, at initially low population density of introduced bees. We address the importance of integration of the genuine plant usage patterns with context-specific bee assessment options in establishing effective monitoring. The improved understanding of M. sculpturalis local dynamics triggered the questions about possible origin(s) and modes of its dispersal east of the Alps. To explore the possible scenarios of M. sculpturalis introduction(s), we extended the study to a wider spatio-temporal context – the region of SE Europe (2015–2019). The two complementary study approaches (at local and regional scale) provided more comprehensive evidence of bee dispersal history and the detection patterns in varied recording contexts. Based on this two-scale approach, we suggest that a diffusive mode of M. sculpturalis introduction into Serbia now seems to be a more plausible scenario (than a long-distance jump). We argue that the integration of outcomes from the contrasting approaches (a systematic surveillance, based on plant resources and a broad-scale opportunistic recording) could be of great methodological relevance for the development of future monitoring protocols.

Bees are among the most important pollinators (Klein et al., 2007; Ollerton et al., 2011) with an estimated global monetary value of ecosystem services of minimum US$195 billion per year (Porto et ...

Megachile sculpturalis Smith 1853 is found for the first time on the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). This is the first time that this exotic bee is reported from an island and is the southernmost record in Europe so far. Specimens were found in five distant locations throughout the island, which points out the current broad distribution of this species within the island and suggests that the introduction of M. sculpturalis may have happened earlier than 2020 and went unnoticed. M. sculpturalis females were found mainly feeding and collecting pollen from Sophora japonica L. 1767 (= Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott 1830) and Parkinsonia aculeata L. 1753, two exotic ornamental trees. Potential entry means and impacts of this exotic bee on local biodiversity are discussed. Island ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the negative impacts produced by exotic species. Judging from the evidence of negative effects described in the literature so far, we recommend that the invasive potential and the impact of this species on native plants and pollinators within the insular context of the Balearic Islands be addressed in the future.

Citizen science, a practice of public participation in scientific projects, is popular in Western countries, however, it is still a relatively novel approach in Southeast Europe. In this region, citizen science can be a useful tool for increasing the understanding of alien species. One such species is the sculptured resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis, a putatively invasive alien pollinator native to East Asia. It was introduced to France in 2008, from where it quickly spread across West and Central Europe. However, our knowledge of its eastern distribution is scarce since it is based mostly on isolated findings. We combined citizen science and data extraction from online sources (e.g., naturalist’s databases and social media) covering 6 years, and 3 years of targeted floral resource monitoring in the search for M. sculpturalis across regions of southeastern Europe. We collected presence data and information on M. sculpturalis abundances across an urban-rural gradient from eight countries: Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, and the region of the Crimean Peninsula. We present the first country records for Romania, Bulgaria, and Montenegro, identify the dynamic expansion front in southern Serbia and provide new southernmost occurrences in Southeast Europe. We also collected data on species ecology (e.g., phenology, pollen/nectar sources, nest characteristics) and gathered evidence of reproducing populations of this species across the studied region. Citizen science data provided a five times larger spatial coverage, including recordings from remote locations, than the data collected by expert field surveys and provided critical additional data about the species biology, thanks to exceptionally engaged participants. We emphasize the importance of close collaboration between regional scientist teams and citizen participants and the benefits of this approach for monitoring a species with a continent-wide spread potential.

Stelis costalis Cresson is an anthidiine cuckoo bee known from Texas and Mexico. Currently, it is placed in the subgenus Dolichostelis, a small group of seven species (Parker and Bohart, 1979; Gonzalez et al., 2012). To date, its members have only been reported laying their eggs in the nests of various resin-using species of Megachile (Chelostomoides) (Table 1). Here, I report on the successful parasitism of a nest of the introduced resin-using bee, Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis Smith by S. costalis.

Simple Summary Citizen science is the involvement of the public in scientific research, through the collection of data by volunteer members (“citizen scientists”), usually as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists. Beewatching is a citizen science project started in spring 2018. The project target is to acquire information on wild bee species in Italy and to promote knowledge among citizens on the diversity of bees and their importance as pollinators. Moreover, an attempt was made to follow the distribution of two alien bee species present in Italy. During the first two years of the project, 269 users contributed with 1086 reports. Overall, 38 Apoidea genera and 190 plant genera were reported. Furthermore, we received 22 reports of the alien species Megachile sculpturalis. The increasing number of reports and the higher percentage of correct ones throughout the first period of project implementation, but also the ecological data acquired, undoubtfully represent positive outputs, demonstrating the success of Beewatching project. Abstract Bees play a key role in natural and agro-ecosystems and their diversity is worldwide threatened by anthropogenic causes. Despite this, there is little awareness of the existence of the numerous species of wild bees, and the common name “bee” is very often exclusively associated with Apis mellifera. Our aim was to create a citizen science project in Italy with the following objectives: (a) raising awareness of the importance and diversity of bees, (b) obtaining data on the biology, ecology and distribution of Italian species, and (c) launching the monitoring of alien bees. The first step of the project was to create a website platform with a section containing informative datasheets of the wild bee families and of the most common bee genera present in Italy, a form to send reports of observed bees and an interactive map with all citizen’s reports. During the 2 years of the project 1086 reports were sent by 269 users, with 38 Apoidea genera reported on 190 plant genera; furthermore, 22 reports regarding the alien species Megachile sculpturalis arrived. The majority of bees (34 genera) were observed on spontaneous plants, including 115 genera native to Italy. Considering the increasing number of reports and data obtained in these first two years of the project, our objectives seem to be achieved. Future steps will be to outline the profile of beewatchers, to plan activities in a more targeted way, and also to start some sub-projects for conservation purposes.

BackgroundInvasive species are increasingly driving biodiversity decline, and knowledge of colonization dynamics, including both drivers and dispersal modes, are important to prevent future invasions. The bee speciesMegachile sculpturalis(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), native to East-Asia, was first recognized in Southeast-France in 2008, and has since spread throughout much of Europe. The spread is very fast, and colonization may result from multiple fronts.ResultTo track the history of this invasion, codominant markers were genotyped using Illumina sequencing and the invasion history and degree of connectivity between populations across the European invasion axis were investigated. Distinctive genetic clusters were detected with east–west differentiations in Middle-Europe.ConclusionWe hypothesize that the observed cluster formation resulted from multiple, independent introductions of the species to the European continent. This study draws a first picture of an early invasion stage of this wild bee and forms a foundation for further investigations, including studies of the species in their native Asian range and in the invaded range in North America.

Since alien species may threaten native ecosystems when becoming invasive, one of the main challenges is try to predict their potential spread. Despite bees are essential pollinators and provide important ecosystem services in their native areas, outside these areas they could represent a risk for the local bee fauna, e.g. by competing for resources or by transmitting pathogens, as it was observed for species of Megachile, the bee genus with the highest number of recorded alien species. Here, using two complementary methods (Multidimensional Envelope procedure (MDE) and the Maximum Entropy algorithm (MaxEnt)), we aim to explore environmental niche as well as to identify potential worldwide distribution of the giant resin bee Megachile sculpturalis, native to Asia and recently introduced in North America and Europe. The two methodological approaches predict an important expansion for the species and reveal a preference for areas of Palearctic and Nearctic regions with reduced temperature fluctuations and moderate precipitation regimes. The Southern hemisphere seems not having good conditions for this species. Estimations for the future (2070) predict a further, though limited expansion to northern areas in the North hemisphere. However, during roughly 25 years of spreading outside its native range, M. sculpturalis clearly expanded the range of inhabitable environmental conditions, which may increase its potential invasiveness in a pattern difficult to predict using only correlative methods. Physiological and ecological data are necessary to better assess the potential niche of this bee species and in consequence to better predict its future spreading dynamics.

Megachile sculpturalis (Smith, 1853) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is an invasive solitary bee that is rapidly spreading all over Europe. The present study aims to update the distribution of this species in Italy. The research led to the collection of 177 records, obtained through bibliographic research and data-mining from websites, blogs and social networks. We here present the first record of M. sculpturalis on a Mediterranean island and discuss its possible effect on the native ecosystem. Given the particular discovery of M. sculpturalis on Elba Island (Tuscany), we suggest possible monitoring, containment and possible eradication measures of the species.

Sunn hemp, Crotalaria juncea L., is a warm-season legume that can be planted in rotation to cash crops to add nitrogen and organic matter to the soils, for weed growth prevention, and to suppress nematode populations. Sunn hemp flowers also provide nectar and pollen for pollinators and enhance biological control by furnishing habitat for natural enemies. Experiments were conducted in Northern and North Central Florida to evaluate bee populations that visited flowers within mixed plots of sunn hemp and sorghum-sudangrass and plots of two sunn hemp germplasm lines. Collections of bees that visited 'AU Golden' and Tillage Sunn flowers indicated that Xylocopa virginica (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Xylocopa micans Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Megachile sculpturalis Smith (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), Megachile mendica (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), and Megachile georgica Cresson (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) were present in large numbers in May through July and then again in October. Although Tillage Sunn seeds planted in March flowered in May, percent bloom and number of bee visits were low. Compared with short day sunn hemp cultivars, 'AU Golden' plants produced flowers early in the season to provide food and habitat for pollinators and have the potential to produce an abundant seed crop in Northern and North Central Florida.

Originally from eastern Asia, the giant resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis (Smith), was accidentally introduced into the United States in the 1990s. It is considered an adventive (not native and usually not established) species and is present in most states in the eastern US. Although these bees can be found on various plants, they typically prefer plants that have been introduced from their native area. Some have observed that when collecting pollen or nectar, Megachile sculpturalis will damage local flora, making it unusable to future bee visitors. However, evidence has shown that, although an adventive species, Megachile sculpturalis is thought to be a pollinator of a native and federally threatened plant, the Apios Pricenana.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1258 Also available on the Featured Creatures website: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/BEES/Giant_resin.html

Apios priceana B. L. Rob. is federally threatened and little is known about its pollination biology. At the Redstone Arsenal population, Alabama, we studied its breeding system, determined major floral visitors and their pollination effectiveness, and explored pollen limitation of fruit and seed production. Fruit initiation was low (3.9%) for cross-pollinated flowers but only marginally greater than for self-pollinated or nonpollinated flowers (none initiated a fruit). Most floral visits (97%) were by bees with 43% of visits by large bees (> 1.5 cm in length) and 51% by medium bees (1–1.5 cm in length). Keel petals of A. priceana flowers enclose the style and stamens: flowers must be “tripped” for pollination to occur. Large and medium bees were equally effective in tripping flowers, whereas small bees (< 1 cm in length) did not trip flowers. Success of large and medium bee species (several Bombus species and Megachile sculpturalis Smith) in initiating legumes after a single floral visit ranged from 17–35% but did not differ significantly among species. Pollen supplementation showed legume production was pollen-limited: 24% of supplemented flowers produced fruits versus 6% of nonsupplemented flowers. Seed counts revealed a marginally nonsignificant trend for more seeds in legumes from pollen-supplemented flowers. We conclude that this rare plant species is dependent on medium and large bees for pollination, and that reproduction is partially pollen-limited. Conservation efforts should include measures to protect bee pollinators of this species to ensure that managed populations of this rare plant continue to reproduce sexually.

Megachile sculpturalis est une abeille originaire de l'est de l'Asie observee pour la premiere fois en Europe en 2008 a Allauch pres de Marseille (France). Elle a egalement ete detectee aux Etats-Unis des 1994 et s'est depuis largement repandue en Amerique du Nord. Nous presentons ici un etat des connaissances sur son ecologie et sa distribution geographique. Abstract. Megachile sculpturalis (the Giant Resin Bee) is a bee species native to East Asia that has been observed for the first time in Europe in 2008 in Allauch near Marseille (France). In the USA, it has been reported in 1994 and has since then rapidly expanded through North America. We here provide a review on its ecology and its geographical distribution.

Biodiversity monitoring programs are the baseline of species abundancy studies, which in case of introduced species are especially critical. Megachile sculpturalis Smith, 1853 native to Eastern-Asia, constitutes the first ever recorded wild bee species accidently introduced in Europe. Since its first discovery in 2008, M. sculpturalis has been spreading across the continent. By initiating a citizen science monitoring program, we aimed to investigate the occurrence pattern of M. sculpturalis. Within only two years after starting the project, 111 new reports from Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria were recorded. Comparably to other European countries, the population progressed remarkably fast from year to year expanding its area geographically but also ecologically by increasing its altitudinal range. The distribution pattern indicates human assisted jump-dispersal travelling on the major traffic routes of central Europe.

International audience; Bee hotels are increasingly set up by land managers in public parks to promote wild bee populations. However, we have very little evidence of the usefulness of bee hotels as tools to help the conservation of wild bees within cities. In this study, we installed 96 bee hotels in public parks of Marseille (France) for a year and followed their use as a nesting substrate by the local fauna. The most abundant species that emerged from bee hotels was the exotic bee species Megachile sculpturalis, representing 40% of all individuals. Moreover, we only detected four native bee species all belonging to the Osmia genus. More worryingly, we found a negative correlation between the occurrence of M. sculpturalis in bee hotels and the presence of native bees. One hypothesis to explain this result might be linked to the described territorial and aggressive behaviour of M. sculpturalis toward the nests built by the native fauna. This study raises the question about the usefulness of bee hotels for the conservation of native bees especially within cities harbouring high abundance of exotic bees. We provide here concrete advices to land managers to build bee hotels that can both host native bees and prevent the installation of M. sculpturalis.

Bee species that are effective pollinators of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.: Fabaceae: Crotalarieae) are few in number because of the large size and papilionaceous structure of the plant’s blossom. Seed for this potentially valuable cover crop is largely unavailable due to the paucity of pollinators and to the plant’s self-incompatibility. The introduced Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis Smith (Megachilidae: Megachilinae), the giant resin bee, has the anatomy and behavior to be a most effective pollinator. While holding onto the upper vexillum petal of the blossom with her mandibles, this bee has the strength to depress the lower keel causing pollen to be expelled by the style through the small opening at the end. The bee is long enough for its metasoma to extend over the end of the keel, and, as a member of the family Megachilidae, has scopal hairs on the venter of the metasoma, which are thus in an optimal position to contact the pollen. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.: Apidae) are common visitors to sunn hemp flowers but are too small to be effective pollinators. A honey bee worker robs the pollen by inserting her proboscis into the end of the keel and extracting the adhering pollen. Possible problems could result from mutual enhancement of populations of an exotic bee and an exotic plant.

Megachile sculpturalis est une abeille originaire de l’est de l’Asie observée pour la première fois en Europe en 2008 à Allauch près de Marseille (France). Elle a également été détectée aux États- Unis dès 1994 et s’est depuis largement répandue en Amérique du Nord. Nous présentons ici un état des connaissances sur son écologie et sa distribution géographique. Ecology and distribution of the Asian bee Megachile sculpturalis Smith 1853 (Apoidea - Megachilidae - Megachilini): a state of knowledge ten years after its first observation in Europe. Megachile sculpturalis (the Giant Resin Bee) is a bee species native to East Asia that has been observed for the first time in Europe in 2008 in Allauch near Marseille (France). In the USA, it has been reported in 1994 and has since then rapidly expanded through North America. We here provide a review on its ecology and its geographical distribution.

Background and aims Apios priceana is a rare flowering plant that can only be found in parts of the Southeastern United States. Little is known about the reproductive biology of this plant and only a

Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis Smith 1853 County records: Cheboygan, Ingham, Jackson, Kent, Monroe, Oakland, Osceola, Washtenaw, Wayne. Notes. Megachile scultupuralis, a distinctive exotic species of East Asian origin, has recently spread across the Northeast and Midwest regions of the country (Hinojosa-Díaz 2008; Magnum & Brooks 1997). It was first recorded from Michigan in 2008 from Wayne and Cheboygan Counties in the southeast and north of the LP, respectively (O’Brien & Craves 2008). The species, known to have been present in the state from at least 2006 (see below; the first Illinois specimen was also collected that year, see Tonietto & Ascher 2009), is active in midsummer. It is known to nest in active Xylocopa virginica burrows in dead wood (Laport & Minckley 2012; Roulston & Malfi 2012) and has been observed in Michigan removing nesting materials of other Megachile species from trap nests (JG pers. obs.). Material examined. Ingham Co.: East Lansing, Sep. 2006, P. Giordano (1 &female; MSUC); East Lansing, MSU, N42.72 W84.473, 18 Jul. 2014 (2 &male;), 21 Aug. 2013 (1 &female;) (JBWM); East Lansing, MSU, Natural Science Bldg., 13 Jul. 2011, Stphynolobium japonicum, G. Parsons (3 &female; 11 &male; MSUC); East Lansing, MSU, Natural Science Bldg., 20 Aug. 2009, Sophora japonica, G. Parsons (16 &female; MSUC); East Lansing, MSU, Radiology Bldg. N42717 W84.467, 20 Jul. 2014, J. Gibbs (1 &female; JBWM); Lansing area, Nielsen residence, T4N R2W S7, 2 Jul.2006, M.C. Nielsen (1 &female; MSUC); Lansing, Saginaw /MLK blvd., stem nest side of house, 18 Aug. 2008, R. Isaacs (2 &female; MSUC); Kent Co.: (unknown locality) 3 Jul. 2012, M. Vanderwerp (1? MVWC); Oakland Co.: 26 Jul. 2014, M. Vanderwerp (MVWC); Osceola Co.: Leroy, 1.5 km SW, N44.0311 W85.4729, 26 Jun. 2015, J. Gibbs (1 &female; JBWM); Shiawassee Co.: North of Perry (C. Sheffield and J. Gibbs pers. obs. 2006)., Published as part of Gibbs, Jason, Ascher, John S., Rightmyer, Molly G. & Isaacs, Rufus, 2017, The bees of Michigan (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), with notes on distribution, taxonomy, pollination, and natural history, pp. 1-160 in Zootaxa 4352 (1) on page 106, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4352.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1063854, {"references":["Hinojosa-Diaz, I. (2008) The giant resin bee making its way west: First record in Kansas (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). ZooKeys, 1, 67 - 71. https: // doi. org / 10.3897 / zookeys. 1.17","Magnum, W. A. & Brooks, R. W. (1997) A survey of the North American range of Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis, an adventive species in North America. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 70, 146 - 148.","O'Brien, M. F. & Craves, J. (2008) Megachile sculpturalis Smith - a new bee for Michigan (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society, 53, 4.","Tonietto, R. K. & Ascher, J. S. (2009) Occurrence of the Old World bee species Hylaeus hyalinatus, Anthidium manicatum, A. oblongatum, and Megachile sculpturalis, and the native species Coelioxys banksi, Lasioglossum michiganense, and L. zophops. The Great Lakes Entomologist, 41, 200 - 203.","Laport, R. G. & Minckley, R. L. (2012) Occupation of active Xylocopa virginica nests by the recently invasive Megachile sculpturalis in Upstate New York. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 85, 384 - 386. https: // doi. org / 10.2317 / 0022 - 8567 - 85.4.384","Roulston, T. H. & Malfi, R. L. (2012) Aggressive eviction of the eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica (Linnaeus )) from its nest by the giant resin bee (Megachile sculpturalis Smith). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 85, 387 - 388. https: // doi. org / 10.2317 / 0022 - 8567 - 85.4.387"]}

Background and aims – Apios priceana is a rare flowering plant that can only be found in parts of the Southeastern United States. Little is known about the reproductive biology of this plant and only a few insect flower visitors have been previously documented. The aim of this study was to further document the insect flower visitors of A. priceana in North Alabama.Methods – Cameras and observers recorded flower visitors during the 2014 blooming season of a large North Alabama population of A. priceana.Key results – Although fifteen different species of insects were documented on flowers of A. priceana, most performed a single or very few visits. Bumble bees ( Bombus spp.), two species of Megachilidae ( Megachile sculpturalis and Megachile campanulae ), and the hummingbird clearwing ( Hemaris thysbe ) were the most common visitors. Interestingly, the giant resin bee, M. sculpturalis, is considered to be an invasive species but in this case may be pollinating a native and Federally threatened plant.Conclusion – Although A. priceana flowers are visited by numerous insects, Bombus spp. and, surprisingly, an invasive species ( Megachile sculpturalis ) are probably the most important pollinators of this plant.

New distributional records are presented for three non-native megachilid bees—Anthidium manicatum (Linnaeus), Anthidium oblongatum (Illiger), and Megachile sculpturalis Smith. These bees inhabited every county in Connecticut and several others in nearby northeastern states. My records of A. manicatum from Massachusetts and Rhode Island and of A. oblongatum from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont represent the first published state records. The multiple, largely exotic, floral hosts reported with the distributional records provide more evidence that A. manicatum and A. oblongatum are polylectic. The current distributional range and the potential impact of these adventive species are discussed briefly.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Megachile sculpturalis (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) has been reported in this study. This is the first sequenced mitogenome from the family Megachilidae. The sequenced region of this mitochondrial genome is determined to be 16 581 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and a partial sequence of the AT-rich region, and the AT-rich region contains several characteristic repeated sequences. Additionally, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis using all the mitochondrial genomes of Apoidea that are available in Genbank. Bayesian method supported the monophyly of both Apidae and Colletidae. And Megachilidae was inferred as the sister group of Apidae.

▪ Abstract Bees are generally regarded as beneficial insects for their role in pollination, and in the case of the honeybee Apis mellifera, for production of honey. As a result several bee species have been introduced to countries far beyond their home range, including A. mellifera, bumblebees (Bombus sp.), the alfalfa leafcutter bee Megachile rotundata, and various other solitary species. Possible negative consequences of these introductions include: competition with native pollinators for floral resources; competition for nest sites; co-introduction of natural enemies, particularly pathogens that may infect native organisms; pollination of exotic weeds; and disruption of pollination of native plants. For most exotic bee species little or nothing is known of these possible effects. Research to date has focused mainly on A. mellifera, and has largely been concerned with detecting competition with native flower visitors. Considerable circumstantial evidence has accrued that competition does occur, but no experiment has clearly demonstrated long-term reductions in populations of native organisms. Most researchers agree that this probably reflects the difficulty of carrying out convincing studies of competition between such mobile organisms, rather than a genuine absence of competitive effects. Effects on seed set of exotic weeds are easier to demonstrate. Exotic bees often exhibit marked preferences for visiting flowers of exotic plants. For example, in Australia and New Zealand many weeds from Europe are now visited by European honeybees and bumblebees. Introduced bees are primary pollinators of a number of serious weeds. Negative impacts of exotic bees need to be carefully assessed before further introductions are carried out.

First data on the presence of the Asian bee Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis Smith (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) in Europe.

Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis Smith Figure 1 Material Female, Kansas: Douglas County, within Lawrence city limits (adjacent to main University campus), 28 June 2008, I.A. Hinojosa-D��az (net captured). Deposited in the Snow Entomological Collection, Division of Entomology, University of Kansas Natural History Museum, Lawrence, Kansas, USA. Comments The specimen was not freshly emerged, exhibiting relatively worn wings along their apices. Th is indicates that the female was old and had been quite active for some time. Th is wing wear suggests that either the female had newly dispersed into the area from some distance or, more likely, was part of a newly established population (since no M. sculpturalis have been found in previous summers, and such active and robust bees would have otherwise been noticed) and had spent considerable time seeking new, suitable nesting sites and nest materials., Published as part of Hinojosa-D��az, Ismael, 2008, The giant resin bee making its way west: First record in Kansas (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), pp. 67-71 in ZooKeys 1 (1) on pages 68-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1.17, http://zenodo.org/record/576392

The invasive giant resin bee (Megachile sculpturalis Smith) was first discovered in North America in 1994. A 2005 study provided the first predictive ecological niche model for any bee species and concluded that M. sculpturalis, then confined to the eastern United States, would eventually spread as far south as southern Florida, as far north as southern Ontario and Nova Scotia, and as far west as South Dakota, western Kansas, and northwestern Texas. Herein I provide the first record of M. sculpturalis from northeastern Kansas, documenting that the species has indeed continued its westward expansion in North America and the new available records entirely correspond to the earlier predictions.

Background Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis Smith, the giant resin bee, is an adventive species in the United States. First established in the United States during the early 1990s, records currently exist from most states east of the Mississippi River along with Iowa and Kansas. New information New distributional records are presented for Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis Smith, an introduced bee. Additional records presented here expand the known distribution southwest through Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. An updated host plant list containing new records is also presented, expanding the number of known floral associations.

In 2008, a new species for the French bee fauna was recorded in Allauch near Marseille: the giant resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis (Smith, 1853). This was the first European record of this species that is native to East Asia. To our knowledge, it is the first introduced bee species in Europe. Here, we provide an overview of the current distribution of M. sculpturalis in France and we describe the history of its range expansion. Besides our own observations, information was compiled from literature and Internet web-sites, and by contacting naturalist networks. We collected a total of 117 records (locality × year combinations) for the 2008-2016 period. The geographical range of M. sculpturalis has extended remarkably, now occupying a third of continental France, with the most northern and western records located 335 and 520 km from Allauch, respectively. Information on its phenology, feeding, and nesting behavior is also provided. We report several events of nest occupation or eviction of Osmia sp. and Xylocopa sp. individuals by M. sculpturalis. Our results show that M. sculpturalis is now well established in France. Given its capacity to adapt and rapidly expand its range, we recommend amplifying the monitoring of this species to better anticipate the changes in its geographical range and its potential impacts on native bees.