Blunthorn Bees

Melitta is a genus of bees in the family Melittidae. It includes about 40 species restricted to Africa and the northern temperate zone. Most Melitta species are Palaearctic, although three rare species occur in North America.

Melitta are bees of moderate size, generally 8 to 15 mm long. They are commonly oligolectic, with narrow host plant preferences. They resemble bees of the genus Andrena, though with radically different mouthparts and a scopa limited to the hind tibia and basitarsus.

Melitta have a crucial role as pollinators, and are protected through the Pollinators policy included in the EU Biodiversity Strategy.