There is a great diversity of bee specie found in North America , each with special traits and functions within the ecosystem . Examining the many type of bees furnish an enlightening look into the world of pollinators , from the well - sleep together honeybee to the lesser - know sole bees .
The article below will help you search the 72 types of bee that can be found in North America , larn about their characteristics , and study how to describe them .
Different Types of Bees
American Bumble Bee
The Eastern and Southeastern US are domicile to the American Bumble Bee ( Bombus pensylvanicus ) , which endure in colonies with a clear hierarchy maneuver by a magnanimous queen . little female workers develop to a maximum of 19 mm , while poove can reach up to 26 mm . The female population of the settlement grows as a result of fertilized bollock put in the nest .
Two-Spotted Bumble Bee
One of the most common metal money of bumble bee in North America is the Two - spotted Bumble Bee ( Bombus bimaculatus ) , which is identify by itsblack body and yellow spot . Unlike other bumble bee , they make their nests in shallow undercoat burrows . Nectar and pollen from a potpourri of flowers and plants , include zenobia lilies and willows , are part of their diet .
Ligated Furrow Bee
An crucial pollinator is the aboriginal North American Halictus ligatus , or Ligated Furrow Bee . It prefers clear territory for its re - used nests and work up its nests on bare soils or decompose wood . Workers gather pollen to feed in the young , and queen negociate the colony . High level of violence are display by this metal money , mostly as a means of ground ascendancy within the colony .
Yellow-Faced Bumble Bee
The Yellow - Faced Black bodies with icteric pattern on their impertinence and thorax are the define feature of bumble bee ( Bombus vosnesenskii ) . They nest in the earth and are mostly come up on the US West Coast . Well - know as important pollinators , particularly in nursery , they have a taste for sure plants such astomatoes , lantana , and asters , but are less common in cities than in rural areas .
Pure Gold-Green Sweat Bee
The metal green Pure Gold - Green Sweat Bee ( Augochlora pura ) is a coarse mintage in the woodlands of the Eastern United States . Both sexes live alone without a dependency structure , work up their nests in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or on the background . Even though they are lone wolf , they get very aggressive when they get across occupied nests . As pollinator , these bees are essential to woods and surrounding surroundings .
Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee
Although some females may be completely green , the Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee ( Agapostemon virescens ) is easy discover by its characteristic immature thorax and black - and - snowy striped abdomen . Usually solitary , females build their own nests , but sometimes they partake . These nests are used as both overwintering and summer shelters . They are devouring visitors of nectar - deep bloom like asters , sunflowers , and goldenrod .
Two-Spotted Longhorn Bee
aboriginal to North America , the Two - Spotted Longhorn Bee ( Melissodes bimaculatus ) is identified by its mostly disastrous body . It is active in the spring and summer , preferring dry acres environments close to woodlands or crop , and is well - know for its function in pollinate asters and crop . To feed the young members of their species , these bees gather pollen .
Black-Tailed Bumble Bee
In Western North America , the Black - Tailed Bumble Bee ( Bombus melanopygus ) is common , especially in California and Oregon , and it has been watch over as far north as Alaska . It is primarily black in color and can take on several morphologies . It is one of the most prevalent metal money of bumble bee inCaliforniaand is substantive to the pollenation of aboriginal plants like willow tree and sage as well as crops .
Valley Carpenter Bee
aboriginal to the southerly and Southwestern US , includingTexas , Arizona , California , andHawaii , is the Valley Carpenter Bee ( Xylocopa sonorina ) . Male bee are golden - brown in color and have no stings , while females have all - contraband body and smokey brown wing . Even though they are frequently seen , they usually rest away from people , and the females only sting when provoke .
Tricolored Bumble Bee
The three primary colors of Tricolored Bumble Bees ( Bombus ternarius ) are orange , whitened , and black , which gives rise to its name . They are found throughout Canada and several Northern US state , where their body are covered in hair . Although workers can produce up to 13 mm in duration , the gravid queen — who can strive 19 mm — is of the essence to the settlement ’s Defense Department and reproductive success because she has a cut .
European Woolcarder Bee
to begin with from Europe , the European Woolcarder Bee ( Anthidium manicatum ) has been brought to North America and other areas . Its mostly black body with yellow edge on the abdomen and thorax helps to identify it . It is a Renaissance man feeder that feeds on a variety of plant , include garden type . These bee line and polish their nest using plant fiber and shit .
Horse-Fly Carpenter
North and South American horse cavalry - fly Carpenters ( Xylocopa tabaniformis ) are sexually dimorphous , with females being black and males having black with yellow pattern . They are most common inSouthern Texasand Northern California , although they are also found inMexico . Their summer diet of pollen from various industrial plant and weed keeps their numbers alive .
Black-And-Gold Bumble Bee
in the first place found in the Southern United States , the Black - and - Gold Bumble Bee ( Bombus auricomus ) domicile in colonies headed by a poof . Although workers and queens are both shameful and lily-livered in hue , king are big in stature . There are two yellow spots on the capitulum and several yellow bands on the venter of males , often experience as drone pipe . They subsist in meadows with a motley of crops , include fields of clover .
Golden Northern Bumble Bee
The thorax and physical structure of the Golden Northern Bumble Bee ( Bombus fervidus ) are spot by alternating band of black and yellow . They are mostly found in the Northeastern and Northwestern part of the United States , and they are belligerent toward people . They live in nest where the queen and young are fed pollen while the adult drink nectar , and they do a crucial role as pollinators in a variety of ecosystems , including crops , forests , and urban areas .
Southern Carpenter Bee
The all - black Southern Carpenter Bee ( Xylocopa micans ) is a native of the Southern United States , encompassingFlorida , Texas , and Arizona . They are not regarded as gadfly by human because they build their nest in woody materials without causing morphologic harm . As ambrosia and pollen tributary , they deplete the mixture and then purge it for their untried , which is why they are called nectarvores .
Hunt’s Bumble Bee
The black ventral food colouring and the lily-livered and orange dorsal hues of the Hunt ’s Bumble Bee ( Bombus huntii ) give it a distinctive tricolored look . Nesting underground , it is well - known for its helpful use in pollination , particularly for legumes . It has been cultivate in greenhouses and crops , yet it is native to areas abundant in sunflowers and thistles . It is often found in environments throughout the Southern United States and is active almost all year long .
Tripartite Sweat Bee
Native to North America , the Tripartite Sweat Bee ( Halictus tripartitus ) is colourise in shade of chocolate-brown , black , and yellow . Its habitat is located in the US and Canada to the Rebecca West of the Rocky Mountains . It is a moderate pollinator that is combat-ready from spring to fall , visiting fields of sunflower and garden as well as different plant species such as milkweeds and sunflowers .
Western Honey Bee
The most common species of honey bee worldwide , Western honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) are find on every continent . They establish enduring colony , place the survival of the colony in front of the needs of the mortal . large than other bees , colonies are dominate by a reproductive pansy , and female worker keep them going , with male drones existing only to checkmate with the new queen .
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Throughout Eastern North America , the Common Eastern Bumble Bee ( Bombus impatiens ) is a common sight and an essential pollinator . They are nocturnal , underground nesters who depend on a caste of workers to keep their asymmetrical nest in good condition . These bees visit plants such as goldenrod and clover , where they gather nectar and pollen to sustain themselves .
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica , often known as the Eastern Carpenter Bee , make its name from its habit of build its nests in wood . Under the focussing of a queen , the colony divides up tasks like mating and maintaining the nest . They institute in honey and pollen sometimes , mostly to flow the freshly emerge young bees , unlike Apis mellifera who store both in the nest .
Brown-Belted Bumble Bee
With the exception of a few Southeastern state , the Brown - belt Bumble Bee ( Bombus griseocollis ) is widely circulate throughout North America . They are ground - nesting and have a hierarchical brass , with workers in charge of maintaining the nest by reconstruct or repairing them with wax . To maintain the universe of the colony , male bee decoct on mating with the fag .
Sonoran Bumble Bee
Its understudy black and yellow smirch help identify the Sonoran Bumble Bee ( Bombus sonorus ) , which is vernacular throughout the southwestern US . It visit sunflower and lavender plants frequently in hunt of pollen and nectar , and it is almost always participating . North America ’s arid valleys are a harbor for colonies , which can endure up to a twelvemonth .
Perplexing Bumble Bee
Native to North America , the Perplexing Bumble Bee ( Bombus perplexus ) is chiefly found in Eastern US and Canada . Workers are distinguished from queens by their broad , brilliantly colored portion and their yellow and black hair . They survive in marshes as well as wry surroundings and forests , in contrast to species that are similar .
Brown-Winged Striped Sweat Bee
Agapostemon splendens , or brown - winged striped sweat bees , are found throughout the United States , most notably inFlorida , and their time of year lasts until November . They are about 10 mm in size on average , slightly smaller than some of its coeval the sweat bee . Compared to females , males are more or less bigger . They can be distinguished by their striking band of yellow - gold colour and their metallic green base color .
Carpenter-Mimic Leafcutter Bee
Because of its black coloring , the Carpenter - Mimic Leafcutter Bee ( Megachile xylocopoides ) resembles a carpenter bee . Its time of year last until November in Florida and September in other parts of North America . It gathers pollen on its abdomen , unlike other bee specie , and use it to supply food for thought for the young bees in each of its freestanding nests . Typically , solitary females build a footling nest to store pollen and put eggs .
Half-Black Bumble Bee
The Half - Black Bumble Bee ( Bombus vagans ) is a common forest insect , frequently learn among goldenrod and aster . They are mostly find in Eastern North America , where they burrow their nest beneath the earth . They are solitary creatures that fit into their born surroundings with a mixture of black and yellow-bellied facial and body hair .
Red-Belted Bumble Bee
Native to North America , the Red - Belted Bumble Bee ( Bombus rufocinctus ) has an venter banded in red , black , and yellowed and a thorax that is pitch-dark and scandalmongering . They nest in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or cavities rather than underground , and they are coarse in urban areas of the Northwestern US . Early summertime blossoms such as clovers , vetch , and hemangioma simplex tempt them .
Metallic Epauletted-Sweat Bee
Common in the Eastern and Northeastern US Department of State , the Metallic Epauletted - Sweat Bee ( Augochloropsis metallica ) is discern by its metal green coloring on the head , chest , and stomach . It has smokey tan wings and a maximal size of 9 mm . It makes its nest above ground and is pull in to goldenrod andmarigolds , among other flowers .
Sculptured Resin Bee
Introduced from Asia to North America , the Sculptured Resin Bee ( Megachile sculpturalis ) is tinge in black and yellow . They reprocess previous wooden nest as places to ramp up , and they are frequently receive in areas where carpenter bees also live on . They use woodwind instrument as nesting textile even if they do n’t pierce it themselves . They line their nest with clay , small Sir Henry Joseph Wood fiber , and mucilage before laying eggs . develop up to 25 millimetre in duration , they are enceinte than many aboriginal bees despite being import .
Lemon Cuckoo-Bumble Bee
Native to the Eastern and Northeastern United States as well as Eastern Canada , the Lemon Cuckoo - Bumble Bee ( Bombus citrinus ) is a vulgar invasive species that frequently preys on Common Eastern Bumble Bee nests by murdering the host queen . They do this by recruit the nest by copy the chemic cue of the host queen . They ofttimes get their pollen from asters .
Poey’s Furrow Bee
Unlike most North American bees , the Poey ’s Furrow Bee ( Halictus poeyi ) , which is aboriginal to Eastern North America , has a long fly season that endure from February to November . It can be recognized by its smoky brown wings and fatal and xanthous colors . It consumes different kinds of pollen . male resemble females in forcible size and have vivid antennas .
California Bumble Bee
The hair bands of the California Bumble Bee ( Bombus californicus ) alternate between black and scandalmongering , while its wing are smoky brownish . It is becoming less common outside of California but is still very important for cross-pollinate peak , fruits , and crops , including salvia , blueberries , and trefoil . It build nests from spring through July and is active from spring until other September .
Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee
Only discover in Northeastern North America , the Rusty - Patched Bumble Bee ( Bombus affinis ) is an important pollinator whose home ground is in danger of being lost . It winter at mellow altitudes or on dune , nesting in both wet and juiceless soils . It is well known for pollinating many crops , such as Allium cepa , and is also necessary for yield likeapplesand cranberries .
Wilke’s Mining Bee
aboriginal to Europe , Wilke ’s Mining Bees ( Andrena wilkella ) were get to North America . A female ’s maximum increase is 12 mm . They occupy in communal nests or dwell solitary lives , feeding on legume such as trefoil .
Blue Orchard Bee
It ’s common to see blue orchard bee , or Osmia lignaria , near fruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . They can reach a maximum size of 15 mm and are color in black or gray - calamitous . In garden , these rich pollinators are often observed , peculiarly in the vicinity of apple andcherry trees .
Horn-Faced Mason Bee
Originating in Eastern Asia , Horn - Faced Mason Bees ( Osmia cornifrons ) are usual in Japan . pollenation of apple trees depends on them , as they visit several bloom every day . These bees use existing cavities , such as hole in logs or bamboo , to build their nest , either alone or in small-scale groups , where the females lay their orchis .
Southern Plains Bumble Bee
The Southern Plains Texas is a common place to find bumble bees , or Bombus fraternus . They take advantage of existing holes and suitable cavities to work up their opportunistic nests . In the Southern plains , these bee prosper , pollinatingbushclovers and milkweeds .
Blueberry Digger Bee
The Habropoda laboriosa , or blueberry digger bee , prefers ironical , sometimes sandy soils for its training ground . irrespective of gender , this Southern species is an skilful blueberry pollinator . Though smaller than bumblebees , it is very effectual throughout the day .
Oblong Woolcarder Bee
grow in Europe and Asia , the yellowed - and - black Oblong Woolcarder Bee ( Anthidium oblongatum ) is presently find in the eastern state of matter of the United States . It employ crack and crevices to build its nests in a sort of locations , let in populated regions . It loves plants in the pea family , such as stonecrop , and is ofttimes get hold in gardens that include pea legume .
Oblique Longhorn
Solitary in nature , the Oblique Longhorn ( Svastra obliqua ) bee species is autochthonal to Southern North America and Central America . Although they are unremarkably nongregarious , they do sometimes share huge nests . Males and female differ slightly from one another , with males often having longsighted antennae .
Golden Sweat Bee
male person and females of the Augochlorella aurata , or golden exertion bee , are name by their metallic green appearance . It experience in easterly Canada and easterly US , growing to a maximal sizing of 7 mm . Early in the summer , the testicle laid by the queen — who is well - known for social in - ground nesting — hatch into female assistants . Early fall or former summer is when virile bees are produced by late brood . Some females may pick out to draw close alone on rare social function .
Yellow-Fronted Bumble Bee
Growing up to 12 mm for workers and 19 millimetre for queens , the Yellow - Fronted Bumble Bee ( Bombus flavifrons ) is a big specie found in high - elevation plains in North America . Only the queens and newly institute queens overwinter in the nests that they build in March . They chaffer aster and mess , among other high - elevation blooms , and are vulnerable to cuckoo bee parasitism .
Modest Masked Bee
The Black Body and Legs of the Modest Masked Bee ( Hylaeus modestus ) , so make because of the noticeable yellow mark on their faces . They are native to North America and can be found in large numbers on the West , East , and northerly territory . They eat up common plants like goldenrod and milkweed .
Nevada Bumble Bee
The Nevada Bumble Bee ( Bombus nevadensis ) is one of the large aboriginal bee in North America , growing up to 15 - 20 mm in length , with worker up to 17 mm . With stripe of black and yellow , they are common in plain stitch where they exhaust sage , thistle , salvia , and trefoil .
Urbane Digger Bee
Anthophora urbana , often cognize as the Urbane Digger Bee , has a yellow , haired thorax and a black and snowy venter . They cuddle on the terra firma close to flora they care , and are mutual in urban options and garden . In lookup of females , males police surrounding nest .
Pruinose Squash Bee
Fields are frequently visited by the Pruinose Squash Bee ( Peponapis pruinosa ) , which is specialized in pollinating squash and pumpkin crops . Nesting on or close to crops , they only eat certain varieties of squash rackets and are as effective at pollination as Apis mellifera .
Northern Amber Bumble Bee
The Northern Amber Bumble Bee ( Bombus borealis ) is a woodland - dwelling species in North America that has black and dark yellow hairs all over its body . Known for its critical role in pollination , it frequents a salmagundi of plant , include common vetches and blackberries .
Hibiscus Turret Bee
Ptilothrix bombiformis , or hibiscus gun turret bees , are drawn to hibiscus blooms and work up their nests in easygoing filth closely by . They are easily recognise by their hairless calamitous abdomen and yellow , haired chest , and they are indispensable to pollination .
Yellow-Banded Bumble Bee
In fountain , colony of Yellow - band Bumble Bees ( Bombus terricola ) are established underground under the focussing of a queen . In addition to pollinate crop , they also help oneself exert ecosystem biodiversity by pollinating a variety of non - crop industrial plant . realise by the yellow bands on their body .
Unequal Cellophane Bee
The Unequal Cellophane Bee ( Colletes inaequalis ) is a aboriginal of North America , found in riparian zones and forest , where it feeds on a wide range of park plants and trees . It typically build its nests close to the plants that dish up as its pollination hosts , favoring in - ground nests that face south for all - day Sunday exposure .
Flat-Tailed Leaf-Cutter Bee
Originally from Eastern North America , the Flat - trail Leaf - Cutter Bee ( Megachile mendica ) has been observed sometimes on the West Coast . plant such as the common buttonbush welfare from its pollination . It has a band abdomen and a predominantly blackened body . It is active all twelvemonth long in Southern commonwealth , with a different flying time of year bet on the region .
Orange-Legged Furrow Bee
Halictus rubicundus , also sleep with as the Orange - Legged Furrow Bee , is identified by its mordant abdominal cavity , sensationalistic - orange tree and mordant thorax , and orangeness legs . Both only and in colonies , they wish to build their nests in the loose territory tight to plants and rock-and-roll , specially at gamy elevation . They are far-flung across the world ’s temperate zones and frequently unearth raw nest next to old unity .
Western Carpenter Bee
Found throughout California and Western North America , the Western Carpenter Bee ( Xylocopa californica ) can be establish fromUtahto Washington in the North and Texas and Arizona in the South . It is ofttimes seen on blush in the cooler hours of red-hot summer days , and it prefers to collect pollen before midday , especially in environments in the South . male and female can be distinguished by subtle changes in size of it and pigment ; females usually have larger head and more black hair .
Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee
Native to the US and Canada , the fuzzy - horned bumble bee ( Bombus mixtus ) is distinguished by its hairless black legs and fuzzy black and golden - yellow food colouring . It frequents slopes and undetermined fields on mint , where it prefers high - elevation environments . It feeds on flowers that farm at high elevation , such as rhododendron and Epilobium angustifolium .
Texas Striped Sweat Bee
Known for its shiny green thorax , the Texas Striped Sweat Bee ( Agapostemon texanus ) is a coinage native to the South that is dynamic from May to October . Its habitat spans from Canada to Central America , however in the North , its season end in September . They soon construct their own nests , choosing above - flat coat country to avoid being feed by tent-fly and spiders .
Confusing Furrow Bee
Throughout North America , the Confusing Furrow Bee ( Halictus confusus ) is a vulgar mintage that work up its nests underground and has a simple societal structure run by a queen and her workers . They feed on bloom like heath asters and favor arenaceous environments .
California Digger Bee
Nesting underground , the California Digger Bee ( Anthophora californica ) is a indigene of California . They can be agnize by their hairy yellow - orange tree thorax and hairless black - and - clean banded belly . They frequently flock their dry land - level nest .
Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee
The Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee ( Megachile rotundata ) , which was bestow to North America in the centre of the twentieth century to help in the pollination of rapeseed and lucerne crops , has since grown to be an substantive part of agricultural operations . It nests in pre - existing holes in wood or dirt , unlike many other bee coinage , and lines its nest with leaves . These hardworking bee are all-important pollinators , greatly raise the calibre and yield of rapeseed and alfalfa harvest throughout the continent .
Peridot Sweat Bee
Augochlorella pomoniella , often known as peridot sweat bees , are distinguished by their metallic gullible color with undertones of golden yellow and smoky wing . They bring down on humans much like even sweat bees do . They have a long season and only hibernate in January .
Western Leafcutter
The colors livid , yellowed , black , and brown are characteristics of the Western Leafcutter bee ( Megachile perihirta ) . locate to the west of the Rocky Mountains , it build nutrient - rich nests for its young by using leaves found in cracks and holes in the soil .
