• Black bodies, usually with some yellow, orange or white hair on thorax
• Black, relatively hairless abdomens
• Bodies are smaller and thinner compared to bumble bees
• Medium body size: 7-10 mm

These bees are similar to large mining bees, but are smaller in size. They are known as mining bees because they nest in underground tunnels. They are solitary, and most are active in early spring to early summer. Some are specialists, but many are generalists.