Native Bees
Credit: David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org
One of many superb pollinators is the native bee. Did you know that there are over 4,000 species of native bees in the United States, and more than 300 species of native bees right here in Florida? Some may be very familiar, but others may be surprising to you.
Some common native bees include bumble bees (Bombus spp.), sweat bees (Halictidae spp.), and carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.). With the exception of the bumble bee, native bees are solitary. They live either underground or in cavities in wood and stems. A major advantage for human interactions with native bees is that they rarely sting. If they do sting, their “bite” is less painful than a mosquito.
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Bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) on purple Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
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Many native bees do a more efficient job of pollinating than honey bees. For instance, just 250 orchard mason bees can pollinate an acre of fruit trees as well as 2 hives if honey bees (that’s about 50,000 honey bees). |
Credit: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
Squash Bee (Peponapis spp.)
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Credit: Charles Ray, Auburn University, Bugwood.org
Sweat Bee (Agapostemon spp.)
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Credit: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org
Long Horned Bee (Melissodes communis)
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Credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Cuckoo Bee (Epeolus spp.)
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Credit: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org
Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa micans)
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Credit: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org
Giant Resin Bee (Megachile sculpturalis)
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Credit: www.buzzaboutbees.net
Leaf Cutter Bee (Megachile spp.)
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Credit: Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Southeastern Blueberry Bee (Habropoda spp.)
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Credit: Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Blue Orchard Mason Bee (Osmia lignaria)
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Credit: David Almquist, bugguide.net
Cellophane or Plasterer Bee (Colletes thoracicus)
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Credit: Emily Jones, naturalcurrentevents.BlogSpot.com
Digger Bees (Amegilla spp.)
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