The bee is native to western North America, ranging from Nebraska to Texas and Mexico, west to California, and north to British Columbia and Alberta, and often inhabits meadows and orchards.

The wings of the Western leafcutting bee are clear, while their veins are black.

Western Leafcutting Bee nests are created when a small group of bees work together to dig small burrows in sand, gravel, soil, or in rotting plants or wood.

Inside this burrow it is found that the bees construct a series of cells lined with leaf fragments.

Adult Western leafcutting bees are seen normally from July to August, and live around one year.