The native solitary bees of pre-European New Zealand were collectively known by the Māori name ngaro huruhuru, ngaro being the generic word for wasp, bee, or large fly, and huruhuru the adjective for hairy or furry.

[3] This species is classified in the subgenus Nesocolletes of the large Australasian and temperate South American genus Leioproctus within the family Colletidae.

[1] Leioproctus fulvescens adults are about 10 mm (0.39 in) long with a dense covering of hair, typically yellow to orange-brown in colour; this feature distinguishes them from other New Zealand Leioproctus species, which have white to cream hairs.

Along the tunnel, there are often a number of side branches, each terminating in a single oval nesting chamber.

Each chamber is provisioned with a ball of pollen and nectar, on top of which a single egg is laid.