• Metallic, dark blue bodies
• Longer, slender bodies compared to mason bees
• Relatively hairless
• No hair on the underside of the abdomen as in mason bees
• Some with white or yellow markings on face
• Small to medium body size: 5-8 mm

These bees excavate their nests primarily in dead stems. They emerge in mid spring and forage throughout the summer. They are mostly solitary, though they often nest together in groups.