What is an "alkali bee"?

An alkali bee is a solitary bee species that is native to western North America. These bees are specialized for nesting in alkaline soils and are important pollinators of alfalfa crops. They form communal nesting sites called "bee beds" where multiple females construct their individual underground burrows. The alkali bee is highly valued in agricultural settings for its efficient pollination services and is managed for crop pollination purposes.