“Tepanec Long-horned Bees Nectaring on Coma on the South Texas Sand Sheet,” by C. M. Rich, Texas Master Naturalist

Tepanec Long-horned Bee ~ Melissodes tepaneca

A Tepanec Long-horned bee enjoying a brief stop on a glossy, dark green Coma leaf.

About the Texas native bee:

“Abundant throughout the United States and Canada, these fast-flying bees are hairy and generally large. Males have extraordinarily long antenna.”

Source: Wilson, Joseph S., and Olivia Messinger Carril.   “The Bees in Your Backyard:  A Guide to North America’s Bees.”  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 2016. 

“Melissodes means ‘bee-like.’ Meslissa means ‘bee’ and -odes means ‘looks like’ or ‘resembles.'”

Source: Wilson, Joseph S., and Olivia Messinger Carril.   “The Bees in Your Backyard:  A Guide to North America’s Bees.”  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 2016. 

Note: Less than twenty-four hours after its initial capture, this Tepanec Long-horned bee was returned, alive and unharmed, to the exact tree he was found on. He buzzed off without skipping a beat!

About the Coma tree:

“Shrubs or trees up to 30′ tall (usually less), with milky sap, forming thickets from root sprouts. Side branches usually long slender thorns. Flowers: Radial, fragrant, in clusters from the leaf axils; petals 5, white, up to 3/16″ long. Leaves: Alternate; blades spatulate to ovate, tapering onto the petioles, up to 1 and 5/8″ long. The sweet fragrance of plants in bloom can be detected from long distances.”

Source: Richardson, Alfred, and Ken King.  “Plants of Deep South Texas.“  College Station:  Texas A & M University Press, 2011. 

Coma is an attractive evergreen tree that is part of the Tamaulipan Thornscrub habitat that dots the landscape out on the South Texas Sand Sheet.

Books referenced:

• Bravo, Esteban. “Incredible Edibles of South Texas.” (What to Eat & How to Get It). Copy Zone. McAllen, Texas. 2013.
• Peacock, Dexter and Forrest S. Smith.  “A Photographic Guide to the Vegetation of the South Texas Sand Sheet.” ” Texas A & M University Press.  College Station.  2020. 
• Eason, Michael.  “Wildflowers of Texas.”  Timber Press Field Guide.  Timber Press, Inc.  Portland, Oregon.  2018
• Richardson, Alfred, and Ken King.  “Plants of Deep South Texas.”  College Station:  Texas A & M University Press, 2011. 
• Wilson, Joseph S., and Olivia Messinger Carril.   “The Bees in Your Backyard:  A Guide to North America’s Bees.”  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 2016. 

Online resources:

• Wikipedia: Melissodes tepaneca
• Encyclopedia of Life: Tepanec Long-horned Bee
• Discover Life: Melissodes tepaneca
• Bug Guide: Species Melissodes tepaneca – Tepanec Long-horned Bee
• iNaturalist: Tepanec Long-horned Bee (Melissodes tepaneca)

Related articles accessed online:

• “Alfisols.”  U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service.  U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Retrieved on September 19, 2023.
• “From the CEO:  Exploring the South Texas Sand Sheet.” Neal Wilkins.  East Foundation.  May 2021. Retrieved on September 19, 2023.
• Native Plant Project.  Online Version of the Tree Handbook. “Coma Del Sur.”  Retrieved on April 4, 2024. 
• Native Plant Society of Texas.  “Pollinator Landscaping:  Member Recommended Resources.” Retrieved on April 4, 2024. 
• “Native Pollinators and Private Lands:  Native Bee Needs.”  Retrieved September 13, 2023.
• “Plant Lists & Collections.”  Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  University of Texas at Austin.  Retrieved September 16, 2023.
• “Plants of the South Texas Sand Sheet—Photos & Essay” by William R. Carr.  [Web Presentation by Bob Harms].  The University of Texas at Austin.  William R. Carr, Botanist, The Nature Conservancy of Texas and Research Affiliate, Plant Resources Center.  Retrieved on September 19, 2023.
• “Pollinator Conservation.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  University of Texas at Austin.  Retrieved September 16, 2023.
• Runyon, Robert.  “Vernacular Names of Plants Indigenous to the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.” The Brownsville News Publishing Co.  Brownsville, Texas.  1948. Retrieved on September 16, 2023, in PDF format.
• “Tamaulipan Mixed Deciduous Thornscrub.”  Texas Parks & Wildlife.  Retrieved on September 19, 2023.
• “Thorns and All:  Conservation Partners Show Love to Thornscrub Habitat in South Texas.”  U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Aubry Buzek.  January 11, 2023.  Retrieved on September 19, 2023.
• Wildlife Austin Program.  “Native Solitary Bees:  Kid-friendly bees for schoolyards.”  Retrieved September 15, 2023.
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.  “Endangered Species Conservation.” Retrieved September 15, 2023.
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. (n.d.). Nesting & Overwintering Habitat | Xerces Society. Nesting and Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators and Other Beneficial Insects. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. (n.d.). “Who are the pollinators?” Xerces Society. Retrieved September 15, 2023.

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• “Tepanec Long-horned Bees Nectaring on Coma on the South Texas Sand Sheet,” by C. M. Rich, Texas Master Naturalist