The first Washington state iNaturalist verified observation of the species, Hylaeus basalis, (Cinquefoil Masked Bee), was photographed on Marrowstone Island in Jefferson County on May 8, 2024. This small, nearly all black bee was observed in coastal strand habitat inside Fort Flagler State Park.
While the species range indicates widespread distribution across US and Canada, it may appear more commonly in western states and mountainous regions. Previously no Hylaeus basalis had been found and recorded in the Olympic Peninsula Region. Data gaps exist for many Washington bee species, possibly more so in rural areas. Prior to these iNaturalist observations, the bee may have been first photographed in Washington in 2011 (BugGuide, Ferry County).
Female Hylaeus basalis on Nootka Rose
The genus Hylaeus, commonly referred to as Masked Bees, are members of the Colletidae family of bees known for lining their nests with a cellophane-like secretion that gives them structure and water proofing qualities. Hyleaus do not have external structures to carry pollen like most bees instead they carry pollen internally in their crop. Where the female face of H. basalis is completely black, males have a yellow clypeus and the most distinctive enlarged scape (first antennal segment) which is a light orange/yellow color. The name Hylaeus comes from the Greek word that means “of the woods” or “living in the woods” which likely refers to their preference for nesting in wood, hollow stems or twigs. A solitary species, Hylaeus do not excavate their own nests, instead they nest in pre-existing holes in wood - created by beetles, nails, and possibly other bees.
Following the first Washington iNaturalist observation, two additional observations were made in eastern Jefferson County and verified by John Ascher in May and June. They each occurred in separate shoreline habitats in Port Townsend. I observed both female and male bees on May 30th visiting native Rosa Nutkana (Nootka Rose) which was growing in hedgerows in a natural coastal strand habitat. Then on the 31st, I observed a female visiting what I suspect to be ornamental yarrow, Achillea x 'Moonshine', planted along a beach walking path at Hudson Point. Hylaeus are generalist foragers with preferences for floral hosts in the Rose, Aster, and Mustard families for which they have adapted. Cinquefoil (Potentilla species) are in the Rose family and both Nootka Rose and Common Yarrow are present in these coastal areas. An abundance of driftwood and logs with existing beetle burrows in these habitats supports their preference for woodland nesting landscapes. I am eager to inspect the dead logs more carefully this May and hope to document their nesting activity.
Additionally, Hylaeus basalis was collected in Island County on Whidbey Island for the WA Bee Atlas on May 30th; and by three other iNaturalist observers in Okanogan, King, and Chelan Counties June through July. For Washington, the number of verified iNaturalist observations for this species went from zero to twelve in 2024 with Washington now leading in iNaturalist observations of this species in the US. This 2024 number may increase as more bees collected by the WA Bee Atlas are added to iNaturalist. It was a very good year in Washington for the Cinquefoil Masked Bee.
The power of Citizen Science - it takes a team! Volunteer efforts through iNaturalist and the WA Bee Atlas are helping to fill in missing distribution data, one species at a time, especially in these less populated natural areas.
Kris is an active member of the Washington Native Bee Society who regularly conducts photographic native bee surveys throughout the Olympic Peninsula where she lives while participating in citizen science through iNaturalist.org. An impassioned native bee enthusiast, she advocates for bee habitats through educational outreach in her community. Always fascinated by plant/pollinator interactions and observing nesting behaviors, you will likely witness her appearing to photograph the ground with the stunning landscape at her back.
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