Most Anthidium species have cream to yellow abdominal bands, typically interrupted in the middle.

Anthidium manicatum, commonly known as the wool carder bee, uses comblike mandibles to "comb" plant fibers into its brood cell walls.

Anthidium manicatum males also have three "thorns" at their abdominal apex which they use as weapons when defending their territory.

It has been suggested that this pattern is explained by the prolonged sexual receptivity of the females, along with the males' use of readily defended resources in their territories.

The oldest species date from the Priabonian to Rupelian deposits of the Florissant Formation, Colorado.