Native to Japan and China, it has been introduced to the Eastern United States and Ontario, Canada in recent times.

The body is cylindrical, jaws are large and wings are transparent, with a brown color that darkens toward the tips.

[6][5][7] In the United States, these resin bees occur in nests of Xylocopa spp., often around wooden structures such as doors, decks and porches.

Females also use their large jaws to collect resin (hence the common name), used to cap the brood cells.

[7][6] The main recorded host plants are Lathyrus latifolius and Sophora japonica (Fabaceae), Pycnanthemum species (Lamiaceae), Lythrum salicaria (Lythraceae), Koelreuteria paniculata (Sapindaceae) and Buddleia species (Scrophulariaceae).