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1
WildBeesofNewEngland
Aguidetocommonpollinators&flowers
Katherine OdanakaJosh Hall
Sabine NootenSandra Rehan
The Rehan Lab at University of New Hampshire(UNH) focuses on wild bee research. We havespecial interest in pollinator biodiversity, behavior,and evolution. This guide joins other educationalbooks published to explore the regional native beefaunas of California and the Great Lakes region. Ourmission is to provide information about wild bees inNew England including information on theirdiversity, nesting biology, ecology, and flowerassociations to increase our understanding andawareness of pollinators and the services theyprovide.
The information contained in this field guide is for
educational purposes only. Any references to
commercial products or trade names do not imply
endorsement by the Rehan Lab/UNH or bias against
those not mentioned.
This field guide is produced by the Rehan Lab UNH
October 2018
Any opinions, conclusions or recommendations in
this publication are those of the authors and do not
reflect the view of the Foundation for Food and
Agriculture Research (FFAR)
(coverimagephotocredit:PatrickSchultheiss)AgapostemonvirescensonHeliopsis helianthoides
WildBeesofNewEngland
Aguidetocommon
pollinators&flowers
ByKatherineOdanaka,JoshHall,SabineNooten&SandraRehan
UniversityofNewHampshire
DepartmentofBiologicalSciencesRehan Lab
Fundingprovidedby:
FoundationforFoodandAgricultureFFARGrant#549038
Reviewedby
SamDroege,USGSJoanMilam,UMassAmherst
SpecialthankstoMollyJacobsonforphotographs
1
1Introduction 12Howtousethisguide 73Beebiology 84Beesandflowers 155Beemimics 186Commonbeespecies 237Floweringplantsforbees 648 Beeconservation 1069 Keepingthebees 10910Resources 11311Index 114
2
Contents
ThisbookwasproducedtogiveabriefintroductiontothewildbeesofNewEngland.WeproviderelevantinformationregardingtheirbiologyandpicturesofcommonlyencounteredwildbeesandnativeNewEnglandwildflowersidealforbees,aswellasinformationdetailingwildbeedeclinesthroughouttheNewEnglandregion.
Withinthisguidewehavealsoincludedhelpfulandeasywaystoidentifycommonlyencounteredbeesandsomefrequentbeemimics.
Introduction
Current pollinator conservation practices encouragethe planting of wild flowers to provide both nestingand foraging resources. In this guide, we provideseasonally available wildflowers that are frequentlyvisited by bees.We have included a section detailing the close tiesbetween humans and wild bees, outlining howdependent we are on their ecological services andwhy it is important to conserve pollinators.
SabineNooten
3
4
TheclimateofNewEnglandvariesgreatlydependingonthelocation.MostofNewEngland(coloredblue)isconsideredtohaveahumidcontinentalclimatewithmildtohotsummersandoftenextremelycoldwinters.Thesouthernparts(coloredgreenandturquoise)arealsocategorizedas‘humidcontinental’,althoughsummerstendtobehotterandwintersaremuchshorterthaninmorenorthernlyregions.
TheNewEnglandclimate
Adam
Peterson;W
ikiped
ia.com
Theplantsfeaturedinthisguideareabriefsummaryofmanycommonspeciesfoundinthewildandingardensthatareattractivetobees.Theyaresortedinitiallybybloomseasonandthenalphabeticallybytheircommonname.
Thisguideisdesignedtobeanidentificationtoolforanyoneinterestedinbees.Therearethreemainsections:1.beemimics,2.commonspeciesofbees,3.floweringplantsthatprovidebeeswithpollenandnectar.Inaddition,weincludeinformativesectionsaboutrecentbeedeclinesandwhatwecandotoconservethebees.Thebeespeciesaresortedintofamiliesandthenlistedbygenera.Thiswillhelptodistinguishthespeciesbytheiroftentimesminutedifferences.Photographsofeachspecieshavealsobeenincludedtoaidinidentification.
Sabine
Noo
ten
Megachile sp.onsmoothoxeye
Howtousethisguide
5
Somebeespecies,suchasmembersofthegenusAugochlorella, areabrilliant,metallic,race-cargreen.Otherscomeinstrikingpatternsofred,yellow,andblack,suchasmanyofthecuckoobees.
Beebehavior
Beesexhibitawidevarietyofbehaviors andnestingstrategiesduetotheirvastdiversity.Oneofthemostunderstoodofallbeesisthenon-nativehoneybeeknownfortheircomplexsocialbehavior.Honeybeesareeusocial withonequeenandthousandsofworkersalllivinginasinglehive.
Thereareover20,000beesfoundworldwideandabout4,000ofthosespeciesarefoundinNorthAmerica.WithinNewEngland,thereareanestimated400beespecies.Thesebeesappearinavarietyofsizes,shapes,andcolors.ThelargestbeefoundinNewEnglandistheeasterncarpenterbee.
PatrickSchu
ltheiss
Agapostemonvirescens
Beebiology
6
Uponhatching,thecleptoparasitic beelarvakillsthehostlarvaandfeedsuponitspollenball.Thesebeesarecalledcuckoobeesbecauselikethecuckoobird,adultssneaktheireggsinthenestsofotherspecies.
Incontrast,thevastmajorityofwildbeesaresolitary,inwhichasinglefemalebeeconstructsandprovisionsherownnestwithoutthehelpofotherbees.Therearesomebeesthatwillformlargecommunal aggregations,thatis,femaleswillcometogetherinoneareaandbuildtheirnestsincloseproximitytogether.Otherbeesformcooperativecolonies,muchlikehoneybees,completewithqueensandworkers.Thesecoloniesdonotgrownearlyaslargewithonlydozensofworkersatmost.Thesecolonieslastjustoneseasonbeginninginthespringandendinginthefallwhenthebeesdieoff.Thereareanumberofcleptoparasitic bees.Thesebeesdonotcollecttheirownpollennordotheycreatetheirownnest.Instead,theyenterthenestofanotherbeeandlaytheireggsinnestcells.
MollyJa
cobson
Nomada luteoloides,
acuckoobee
7
Lifecycle
Beesareholometabolous insects,undergoingacompletemetamorphosis.Theyhavefourlifestages:egg,larva,pupa,andadult.Mostsolitarymotherbeesbuildasinglecell,provisionitwithaballmadeofpollenandnectar,layasingleeggonit,andsealthecell.Thisiscalledmassprovisioning.Theeggthenhatchesintoalarva,whichlooksmorelikeapalecaterpillarthanabee.Thelarvahasnoeyesorlegsandspendsitstimedevouringthepollenballandgrowing.Oncethethepollenballisconsumed,thelarvadefecates,molts,andentersthepupal stage.Pupaelooklikebeeshavingeyes,legsandbodysegments,gainingcolorationuntiltheymolt torevealtheirwingsasanadultbee.
CullenFranchino
Lifecycleofthesmallcarpenterbee(Ceratinacalcarata)
8
Nesting
Beesexhibitarangeofdifferentnestingtypes,i.e.theybuildnestsintheground,rockcrevices,snailshells,plantstems,orinhardwoods.Mostbeesdigasimpleburrowintothegroundthatcontainsafewindividualcells,eachstockedwithpollenandasingleegg.Speciesmaybeattractedtocertainkindsofsoils;somepreferclaysoilsandotherswillonlybefoundneardunesandembankments.Thedepthofnestsdugintothegroundcanreachanywherefromafewinchestoafewfeetbelowthesurface.Otherbeesprefertonestinanexistingcrevice,e.g.bumblebeesnestinabandonedrodentholes,clumpsofgrass,andevencompostpilesoroldmattresses.Stems,rottinglogs,andburrowsmadebyotherinsectsareusedbysomebeespeciestobuildtheirnests.
MollyJa
cobson
GroundnestingbeeColletesvalidus
9
Sand
raReh
an
Crosssectionofbeenestintheground
Osmiacornifrons (male)emergingfromstemnest
Smallcarpenterbeespreferdead,brokenstemsofsumacandraspberryasnestsites.Thesebeescannotchewthroughtheexteriorbarkofastemandrequireexposedpithfrompruning,mowing,burning,orgrazingtomakenestingsitesavailable.Femalestunnelinthepithystemsfromafewinchestoafewfeetlong.Largecarpenterbeesformtheirnestsbyboringintomanmadehardwoods.Inpre-colonialtimes,carpenterbeeslivedindeadlogsandtreetrunks.Otherstemnestingbeeswillfindandusepre-existingcavitiesmadebybeetlesandotherinsects.Masonorleaf-cutterbees,willthenlinethoseburrowswithbitsofleaves,flowerpetals,mud,orevendownyplantfibersinordertopartitiontheirnest.
10
CullenFranchino
Ceratinacalcarata
smallcarpenterbees
KatherineOdanaka
Likesize,shapeisalsovariablerangingfromslendermaskedandminingbeestorobustbumble,carpenterandwoolcarderbees.Beescomeinmanydifferentcolors,fromredsandbrowns,metallicgreensandblues,toblackandyellow.Aneasywaytodistinguishawaspfromabeeisbytheamountofhairontheinsect’sbody.Beesaregenerallyquitehairy,howeversomebeesthatlackthedensehair,butallbeeshavebranchedhairsontheirbodies.Waspsaregenerallypredatorsfeedingtheiroffspringotherinsectsorspiderswhilebeestypicallyfeedonpollenandnectar.
Beeidentification
Beescomeinmanydifferentshapesandsizes.Beesrangefromlessthanaquartertoaboutaninchinsize.ThelargestspeciesfoundinNewEnglandarelargecarpenterbeesandqueenbumblebees,bothreachingaboutaninchlong.Manybeesaremuchsmaller,likethemetallicsweatbeesthatapproximatelyaquarterofaninchinlength.
MollyJa
cobson
Xylocopa virginica
11
Beeanatomy
Likeallinsects,beeshavesixlegsandtheirbodiesaredividedintothreemainsections:head,thorax,andabdomen.Femalebeeshavebranchedhairsthataretypicallydenseonhindlegsandabdomen.Beeshavefourwingsandlongslenderantennae.Fliesonlyhavetwowingsandshorter,stubbyantennae.Waspsalsohavefourwingsandlongantenna,butaretypicallylesshairythanbees.
12
CullenFranchino
Ceratina calcarata
Foreleg
Head
Antennae
Forewing
HindWing
Abdomen
MidLegHindLeg
Thorax
Floweringplants
BeesaregenerallythoughttohaveappearedonearthmillionsofyearsagoduringtheCretaceousperiod.Atthesametime,floweringplants,knownasAngiosperms,expandedwidelyinshape,formandsize.Thisgroupofplantswerethefirsttouseflowersforreproduction.Stamensproducepollenthatwhendepositedonthepistil,fertilizereproductivecellsthatdevelopintoseedsthatproducethenextgenerationofplants.Thissystemreliesonspreadingpollenbywind,waterormobileanimals-pollinators,thelatterbeingmoreefficient.
BeesandFlowers
JoshHall
Lilium sp.
Attractingpollinatorsiscostlyforplants.Flowersproducepollen,oils,andnectarasarewardforpollinationservices.Animalsfeedonthenectarandsimultaneouslydistributethepollencollectedfromotherplants.Insects,beesespecially,arethemostefficientandeffectivepollinators.
13
Adultbeesfeedonnectar,whiletheiroffspringeatamixtureofnectarandpollen.Manybeeshavedevelopedspecializedmechanismsontheirlegsorabdomenscalledscopaeorcorbiculatocollectandstorepollen.Scopaearecomposedoflong,stiffhairsthathavemanyminisculebranchestoholdlargequantitiesofpollen.Formostspecies,thescopaareonthelegs,butsomespecieshavescopalocatedatthesidesandundersideoftheabdomen(right).Bumblebeesandhoneybeesdonothavescopae.Insteadtheyhavepollenbasketscalledcorbiculathatareflatareasontheirhindlegs(left).Bumblebeespackamixtureofpollenandnectarontotheircorbiculatotakebacktotheirnest.
Beesandplants
Sabine
Noo
ten
Sabine
Noo
ten
Bombussp.&Hoplitissp.onwildbergamot(Monarda fistulosa)
14
Throughtheprocessofco-evolution,beesbecamethemostspecializedandeffectiveanimalpollinators.Beesdevelopedawidearrayofnectarfeedingandpollencarryingfeatures,whileflowersdevelopedmanydifferentshapesandsizestoattractpollinators.Mostbeesaregeneralists,meaningthattheyvisitanytypeofflowertheycangetnectarfrom.Whereasotherbeeshavebecomesospecializedthattheyonlyvisitoneorafewtypesofflowers.Thesebeesarefittinglycalledspecialists.Oneexampleisthesquashbee,Eucera pruinosa.Thisbeeissospecializedthatitisonlyfoundonplantsinthecucurbitfamily,e.g.squashesandmelons.Squashblossomsopenintheearlymorninghours.Malesquashbeesoftenspendthenightinsidetheclosedsquashflowerwaitingtomatewithfemalesarrivingearlyinthemorningtopollinatesquashflowers.
MollyJa
ckob
son
Eucera pruinosa
specialistsquashbee 15
PatrickSchu
ltheiss
Lasioglossumpilosum
(male)- generalist
16
Sand
raReh
an
Toxomerus germinatus
Therearemanyotherinsectsthatarefrequentfloralvisitorsthat,likebees,feedonnectarandtransportpollen.Theseincludeflies,wasps,ants,beetlesandbutterflies.Someofthemlookremarkablylikebeesandtheyaredescribedinthefollowingpages.
Beemimics&otherpollinators
FlowerfliesSyrphidae
TheSyrphidae,orflowerflies,arefrequentvisitorstoflowerstocollectnectar.Syrphidsareoftenmistakenforbees.Manyofthemmimicbeeswiththeirdarkbandingandyellowcoloration.Theirtwowings,shortantennae,andlargeeyesdistinguishthemfromotherbeesandwasps.
17
Sabine
Noo
ten
Philanthus gibbosus
HummingbirdMothSphingidae
Sandwasps,beewolves&others
MollyJa
cobson
Hemaris diffinis
Thesemothsaresometimesmistakenasbumblebeemimicsduetotheirsizeandcoloration.Theyareattractedtomanyflowers,includingblueberry,andareoftenseenhoveringinflight.
Diggerwasps(Crabronidae)arecloselyrelatedtobees.Mostlynestingintheground,thesewaspsprovisiontheirlarvaewithotherinsects,unlikebeesthatprovisionwithpollen.Preyitemswillvaryamongstthedifferentspecies,andsomeofthesewaspsevenhuntbees.
18
Vespidwasps Vespidae
Thisgroupincludesthepaperwasps,yellowjacketsandhornets.ThesemembersoftheVespidaeareeusocialandhaveaqueen,likethehoneybee.Theseeusocialspeciescanbeaggressivewhenthecolonyisdisturbedandwaspsaremuchmorelikelytostingthanbees.Paperwaspscanbeseenscavengingorhuntingwherefoodispresentandarewidelymisidentifiedasbees.Theyareespeciallyattractedtopicnicsandoutdoorgatherings,inordertofindmeatprovisionsfortheirlarvae.Adultwaspsareomnivoresandcanalsocommonlybeseentakingnectarfromflowers.
MollyJa
cobson
Dolichovespula sp.
Wikiped
ia.org
Awaspnest
19
TomM
urray;Bugguide.ne
t
Chauliognathus
pensylvanicus
BeeFlies Bombyliidae
SoldierbeetlesCantharidae
BobWeb
ster;B
ugguide.ne
t
Systoechus vulgaris
Beefliescanbefoundinspring,hoveringoverthegroundandnectaring atflowers.Theirhairybodiespickuppollen.Asbeefliesmoveamongflowers,theypollinatetheplants.Beefliesfiretheireggsintobeenestsandtheirlarvaeareparasitesofbees.
Commonlyfoundongoldenrodsduringthesummer,theseblackandorangebeetlesfeedonpollenandnectarasadults.Duetotheirfrequentpresence,theyareavidpollinatorsofflowers
20
MollyJa
cobson
Laphria sp.
Robberflies Asilidae
LocustBorerCerambycidaeMegacyllene robiniae
Robberfliesarepredatory,largebodiedfliesandafewgeneracontainspeciesthatareexceptionalbumblebeemimics.Thepresenceofonlytwowings,shortantenna,largeeyes,andlongmouthpartssetsthesefliesapartfromthebeestheyimitate.
MJH
atfie
ld;stevenanz.com
Megacyllene robiniae
Adultsoftheselong-hornedbeetlesarecommonlyfoundongoldenrodinlatesummertakingnectarandpollenfromtheflowers.Duetotheircoloration,sometimestheyaremistakenforbees.TheirlarvaenestinthebarkofBlackLocustdeciduoustrees.
21
Thereareanestimated400wildbeespeciesinNewEngland,anexhaustivelistwouldgobeyondthescopeofthisfieldguide.Inthefollowingwefocusonaselectionofthemostcommonlyencounteredspecies.Beesaregroupedbyfamilyandthenbygenus.Aparticularlycuriousgroupofbees– thecuckoobeesaredescribedattheendofthissection.
Commonbeespecies
AllmembersofthefamilyAndrenidae linetheirundergroundnestsinawaterproofsubstancetoreducemoistureandmold.Femalesmassprovisiontheiroffspringwithaballofpollenandnectaronwhichtheylayasingleegg.Uponhatching,larvaefeedonthepollenball,pupateandemergethatfallornextspring.
CullenFranchino
Andrenasp.
MiningbeesAndrenidaeAndrena
22
ThegenusAndrena, commonlyreferredtoasminingbees,isoneofthemostdiverse,withover1400speciesworldwide,550intheUS,and90speciesinNewEngland.Miningbeesaresolitaryandnestinsimpleburrowstheydigintheground.Thedepthoftheburrowsrangebetweenafewinchestoseveralfeetdeep.ThereisonegenerationofAndrena peryear.Theemergingadultsofmostspeciesflyonlyforsixweeks.SomespeciescomeoutinsummerorfallwhileotherAndrena speciesareamongthefirstbeestoemergeintheearlyspring,sometimesoccurringevenwhensnowisstillpresentandflowersarejuststartingtobloom.
Miningbeescontinued
Miningbeescanbeeitherfloralgeneralistsorspecialists.ManyfruitcropsarepollinatedbygeneralistspringflyingAndrenaspecies,suchastheappleblossomontheright.
KatherineOdanaka
Appleblossom-Malus pumila
Andrenawilkella isanintroducedlarge,commonbeefoundinnortheasternAmerica.Ithasablackbodyandthickyellowhaircoveringthebackofitshead,thorax,andlegswhichitusestogatherlargeamountsofpollen.Itsmostcommonlyfoundonintroducedcrownvetch.
23
Miningbeescontinued
MollyJa
cobson
Andrenacarlini
Rebe
ccaDe
w
Andrenawilkella
Andrenacarlini is alarge,darkspecies thatismostactiveinthelatespringandearlysummerandisabroadgeneralist.Ithasablackbodyandpaleyellowhairsonitsthorax.ThisbeeissimilartoA.vicina,butcanbedistinguishedbythesolidblackhaironitshindlegs.
24
Andrenavicina isamediumsizedbee,commonthroughoutsouthernCanadaandnorthernUS.
ItismostcommonlymistakenforA.carlini, butisdistinguishedbyhavinglonger,denserandlighterthoracichair.
A.vicina actsasabroadgeneralistthroughoutthespringandsummerandcanbefoundpollinatingcropslikeappleandblueberry.
KatherineOdanaka
Andrenavicina
MiningbeescontinuedMollyJa
cobson
25
Apismellifera, commonlyknownastheEuropeanhoneybee,wasintroducedtotheUSinthelate1600’s.Itiseusocialinnature,creatinglargecoloniesincavitiesandmanmadehiveswithasinglereproductivequeenandmanyworkersanddrones.Thisbeehasauniquecolorpattern:multiplebandsofdarkbrownandamberacrossitsabdomen,whileitsheadandthoraxareblack.Honeybeesareactivethroughouttheyearinareaswhereitiswarmenoughtosupportthem.Theentirecolonypersiststhroughthewinterunlikenativebeespecies.Honeybeeworkershaveauniquelybarbedstingerandcanonlystingoncedyingshortlythereafter.Thisspeciesisalsotheonlyoneknowntocausehumanallergicreactions.Honeybeesaregeneralistpollinatorsfeedingonmanydifferentflowers.TodatetheyarethemostmassproducedcommercialcroppollinatorworldwideandtheonlybeespeciesinAmericanorthofMexicothatmakeshoney. Cé
liaBo
rdier
Apis mellifera
HoneybeesApidaeApis
laterintheseason.Theyareobservedforagingonlateseasonplants.Somebumblebeespeciesarecommerciallyusedtopollinatecrops,suchastomatoesandblue-berries,duetotheirabilitytobuzztheirflightmusclesatthefrequencyneededforpollentobereleasedbytheflower.
26
ThegenusBombus isthegroupcommonlyreferredtoasthebumblebees.Theyarelargebeesthataredenselycoveredinblack,yellowandoccasionallyorangehairs.Bumblebeescangenerateheatbyvibratingthemusclesthatcontroltheirwingswhichenablesthemtoflyincoldtemperatures.Becauseofthisability,bumblebeesarefoundfarthernorthandinhigherelevationsthanotherbees.Theyarealsoimportantpollinatorsofearlyspringcropsbecausetheywillflyincolderandwetterweatherthanmanagedhoneybees.Coloniesareestablishedbyqueensintheearlyspring,usuallyinabandonedrodentburrowsandcrevices.Smallerworkersareproducedinspring- summerwhilemalesarepresent
Sabine
Noo
ten
Bombussp.
BumblebeesApidaeBombus
27
Thetwo-spottedbumblebee,Bombusbimaculatus,
isverycommonthroughouttheeasternUS.ItisactivefromMarchtoSeptember,itisthefirstbumblebeeoutinspringandactsasageneralistpollinatorforalargevarietyofplants.Thetwo-spottedbumblebeeisoftenmistakenforitscloserelatives,thecommoneasternbumblebee(B.impatiens) andthebrown-beltedbumblebee(B.griseocollis).Femalescanbedifferentiatedbytheirlongerfaceandthepresenceoftwoyellowpatchesontheabdomen;malesarehighlyvariableinpatterning,oftenwithextensiveyellowcoloration.
Bombus bimaculatus
Bumblebeescontinued
Sabine
Noo
ten
28
MollyJa
cobson
Bombus griseocollis (male)
Thebrown-beltedbumblebeeB.griseocollis receivedthisnamefromabrownstripeacrosstheabdomenbelowthefirstyellowstripe.Thisdistinguishesitfromothersimilarspecies.Thisbumblebeeiscommoningardens.Thebrown-beltedbumblebeeiscommonacrossNorthAmericaandisactivefromFebruarytoAugust.Likeitsrelatives,itactsasaverybroadgeneralistpollinator,feedingonamultitudeofflowers.
MollyJa
cobson
Bumblebeescontinued
29
Thecommoneasternbumblebee,B.impatiens,canbeidentifiedbythesingleyellowbandacrossitsabdomen.Asthenamesuggests,itisthemostpopulousbumblebeeintheeasternhalfofNorthAmerica.Thisbumblebeeisveryadaptable,allowingittoactasapollinatorformanyplants.Assuch,itisfrequentlyusedcommerciallyfortomatoesandotherbuzzpollinatedcrops.Coloniescanbepurchasedforfarmerstosupplementpollinationfortheircrops.B.impatiensisaspeciesincreasinginnumbersoverrecentyearsandisnotcompromisedbythemanydiseasesthoughttohavecontributedtothelocalextinctionoftherustypatchbumblebee,B.affinis.
Sabine
Noo
ten
Bombus impatiens
Bumblebeescontinued
KatherineOdanaka
30
Theperplexingbumblebee,B.perplexus,canbefoundthroughoutnorthernNorthAmericabutisabsentinthesouthernstates.ThethreeyellowstripesacrosstheabdomenofthemalemakesthemappearmuchmoreyellowthanothercommonlyencounteredBombus species.ActivefromApriltoSeptember,thisbeecanbefoundaroundforests,orchards,andevensomebogs.Theperplexingbumblebeeisageneralistpollinatorandwillvisitmanydifferentkindsofplantsincludingblueberryandraspberry.
Bumblebeescontinued
MollyJa
cobson
Bombusperplexus
(male)
KatherineOdanaka
Blueberry(Vaccinium corymbosum)
31
Thelargecarpenterbee,Xylocopavirginica, isthelargestNewEnglandbeespecies(~1inchlong).Itburrowsintomanmadewoodenstructures,butitdoesnotdigdeepandonlycausesstructuraldamageifaggregationsareimmense.Thisbeeisageneralistpollinator,feedingonmanyflowersduringsummer.Itisblackwiththick,yellowhairsonthethorax,andcanbemistakenasabumblebee.Thelargecarpenterbeecanbeidentifiedbyitsshinyblackandbroadabdomen.Males,whichhaveaivorysquareontheirface,exhibitaggressiveandterritorialbehavior towards
MollyJa
cobson
Xylocopa virginica
eachother.Theywillconfrontpresumedthreatsbyapproachingandflyingaroundtheintruderinanattempttochasethemaway.Malecarpenterbeeswillnotbiteandallmalebeesareincapableofstinging.Femaleshavesolidblackfacesandarecapableofstinging,butarenotaggressiveorterritorial.
LargecarpenterbeeApidaeXylocopa
32
ThebeesinthegenusCeratina areknownasthesmallcarpenterbees.Theydigoutthesoftcenter -thepith- ofoldsticksandstemstocreatetheirnests.Raspberryandsumacaretheirpreferredplantstobuildnests.Smallcarpenterbeesbuildcellsalongthelengthofthestick,layingoneeggineachcellwithawallofwoodshavings,heldtogetherwithmandibularsecretionstomakeapaste,in-betweenthem.Theyaredarkcoloredwithametallicsheenandwaterbottleridgeshapedabdomen.Thesmallcarpenterbee,C.calcarata,iscommonthroughouttheeasternUS.Itisbluetoblue-greenwithaveryreflectivesurfaceandisactivefromearlyspringtolatefall.Malesandfemalesofthisspeciescanbeeasilydistinguished;themaleshaveasmallwhitepatchontheirfaceintheshapeofanupsidedownTandfemaleshaveasmalllineorspot.Asageneralist,thisbeeisvaluedforitsabilitytopollinateawidevarietyoffloweringplantsandcrops,suchasraspberry.
CullenFranchino
Ceratinacalcarata
SmallcarpenterbeeApidaeCeratina
33
BeesinthegenusMelissodesarecommonlyreferredtoasthe“long-hornedbees”becauseofthelengthyantennaeofthemales.Manyofthebeesinthisgrouparespecialistpollinatorsthatfocusonlyononetypeofflower.Long-hornedbeesaresolitarily,groundnestingbees,andtheyareactivethroughoutthesummer.Thickhairsonthelegs,thoraxandheadarecommontoMelissodes.Thetwo-spottedlong-hornbeeM.bimaculata hasacompletelyblackbodyandveryhairyhindlegs.Thelegsarehairywithmostlypaleorwhitecoloration.
MollyJa
cobson
Melissodesbimaculata
Thisbeeisactivethroughoutthesummerandisageneralistpollinator.Thepollinationdonebytwo-spottedlong-hornbeecomplementsthatofthesquashbee,Eucera pruinosa, bothessentialtosummerbloomingcropslikemelonsandsquash.
Long-hornedbeesApidaeMelissodes
34
Theorangesunflowerbee,Melissodestrinodis,
isamediumsizedbeewithvibrantyellow-orangecoloredhairsonablackbody.Thedensehairsthicklycoveringthelegs,head,andthoraxareconsistentwithothermembersofthegenus.Thesparselaterallinesacrosstheabdomen,givesthisbeeastripedappearance.
MollyJa
cobson
Melissodestrinodis
Anne
Ewert
Helianthusannuus
ThemainsourceofpollenforthisspeciesisthegenusHelianthus,morecommonlyknownassunflowers.Althoughtheyaregeneralistspollinators,iftherearesunflowersintheareatheyarestronglyattractedtothem.
Longhornedbeescontinued
35
Theeasterncucurbit(orsquash)bee,Eucerapruinosa, iscommonthroughoutthesummerandearlyfallthroughouttheUnitedStatesandsouthtoMexico.Thismediumsized,blackbeehasthickyellowhairsandwhitestripesontheabdomen.Itisaspecialistpollinatorforplantsinthegourdfamily(Cucurbitaceae)whichincludesmanypopularvegetableslikesquash,pumpkins,zucchiniandsomemelons.Femalesquashbeesdigburrowstonestneartheseplants.Malesarecommonlyfoundsleepingintheflowersingroups.
MollyJa
cobson
Eucera pruinosa
SquashbeesApidaeEucera (formerly Peponapis)
36
Thecommonnameofcellophanebeescomesfromawaterproofliquidsecretionthatmembersofthisgenususetolinethewallsoftheirburrows.Whendriedthisliquidresemblesthecrinkly,waxylookofcellophane.Thecellophanebeesaremediumtolargesizedground-nestingbeesandareoneofthefirstbeestoemergeinearlyspring.CellophanebeesofthegenusColletes arehairy,muchlikeAndrena species.Bycontrast,Hylaeuscellophanebeesarealmosthairlessandhaveawasp-likeappearance.
CellophanebeesColletidaeColletes
Sabine
Noo
ten
Colletessp.
Cellophanebeesaresolitarynesters,butsomeColletes specieshaveapreferencetonestinsandysoilswhichoftenresultsinlargeaggregations.
Mostspeciesarefoundinavarietyofsoiltypesanddonotformaggregations.
37
Cellophanebeescontinued
Colletesinaequalis
MollyJa
cobson
ThecellophanebeeColletesinaequalisisacommonground-dwellingbeethatemergesearlyinspring.Becausethisbeeisafloralgeneralistandappearsveryearlyintheseason,itvisitsearlyspringbloomingflowersandtrees.C.inaequalisarecommoninappleandblueberryorchards.
KatherineOdanaka
Appleorchard
38
Theblueberrycellophanebee,Colletesvalidus,isamedium-sizedbeewithafacethatischaracteristicallylongerthanwide.Ithasablackbodywithlateralstripesofwhitehairsrunningacrosstheabdomenandpaleyellowhairscoveringitsthorax.ItisthoughttobeaspecialistonthecommerciallygrownnorthernhighbushblueberryVacciniumcorymbosum.
MollyJacobson
Colletesvalidus
CellophanebeescontinuedKatherineOdanaka
Vaccinium corymbosum
39
Maskedbeesalsoproducecellophanetolinetheirnests,butaremuchsmallerandmostlyhairless.Theyliveinpre-existingholesandaresolitary.Insteadofcarryingpollenonbranchedhairslikemostbees,Hyaleus beesstorepolleninternallyintheircrop,asimilarstructuretoourstomach.Theyeatthepollenandthenregurgitateitwhenneeded.Becauseoftheirsmallsizeandhairlessbodies,theycanbemistakenforwasps.ThecommonlyfoundyellowfacedmaskedbeeHylaeus modestus isasmallblackbeewithvibrantyellowpatchesonthehead,thorax,andlegs.
MollyJa
cobson
Hylaeus modestus
Theyellowfacedmaskedbeeisabroadfloralgeneralist,activefromMaytoSeptemberandcanbefoundthroughouteasternNorthAmerica.
MaskedbeesColletidaeHyaleus
40
Thebandedsweatbeesarenamedduetothewhitebandsontheirabdomensandtheirattractiontohumanperspiration.Itisthoughtthattheyusethesaltfornutrition.MembersofthegenusHalictus arewide-spreadacrosstheNorthernHemisphere.Theyaresomeofthemostcommonbeesinanygivenarea,makingthemimportantpollinatorsoffloweringplants.MostHalictus speciesareeusocial,withqueensandworkers,formingcoloniesinundergroundburrows,similartobumblebees.Colonieshaveavaryinsize,commonly10-20beesandupto200individuals.
MollyJa
cobson
Halictus ligatus onoxeyedaisy(Leucanthemum vulgare)
BandedsweatbeesHalictidaeHalictus
41
MollyJa
cobson
Halictusconfusus
Sabine
Noo
ten
Halictus ligatus
ThesweatbeeHalictusligatusismediumsized(0.3inches)andblackwithlightcoloredhairsonthethorax.Whitebandsstretchacrosstheabdomen.Thisbeehasalargehead.Thiseusocial,generalistbeepreferscompositeflowersandiswidespreadacrossNorthAmericaincludingMexico.
Thesouthernbronzefurrowbee,Halictusconfusus,issmallanddullgreenwithboldwhitebandsonitsabdomen.Thisbeeisabroadgeneralistpollinatorthatformssocialcoloniesingroundburrows.ItcanbefoundinNewEnglandduringspringandsummermonths.
Bandedsweatbeescontinued
42
MollyJa
cobson
Halictus rubicundus
Bandedsweatbeescontinued
ThesweatbeeHalictusrubicundusisamedium-sizedbeewithablackbodywithbandsofhairontheirabdomenthatappearaswhitestripes.ItcanbedistinguishedfromH.ligatusbythelackofthetriangularshapedpointed,spine-likeprojectatthebaseofitscheekandmuchnarrowerhead.Thissweatbeehasaworldwidedistributionandcanbefoundonmultiplecontinents,includingNorthAmerica,Europe,andAsia.Itisactivefromearlyspringtolatesummerandactsasageneralistpollinator.Likeothersinthisgroup,itiseusocialandlivesinsmallcoloniesinnestsbeneaththesoil.
43
ThegeneraAgapostemon,Augochloropsis,
Augochlorella,andAugochlora arecommonlygroupedtogetherandcalledthegreensweatbees.Thesevibrantlycolored,race-cargreenspeciescanlookverysimilar.Thefemalesofallgeneraareentirelygreen,exceptforthebicoloredstripedsweatbee,Agapostemonvirescens.
Agapostemonvirescensisamediumsized,metallic,greenbeethatiscommonacrosssouthernCanadaandthenorthernUS.Thisspeciesnestscommunallywithuptotwodozenfemalessharinganestentrance,buteachindividualbuildsandprovisionsit’sownbroodcells.
DifferentfromotherAgapostemon species,malebicoloredstripedsweatbeeshavebeenfoundtonestwithfemales.GreensweatbeesarebroadgeneralistpollinatorsactivethroughoutthewarmseasonfromMaytoOctober.
Sand
raReh
an
Agapostemonvirescens
GreensweatbeesHalictidaeAgapostemon&similar
BothA.sericeus andA.texanus aremediumsizedbeeswithallgreenfemalesandmaleswithgreenheadsandthoracesandstripedabdomensthathavetheappearanceoffemaleA.virescens.Thehuesofgreencanbemoreyellowormorebluedependingonthelocationoftheindividual.A.sericus islesscommoninNewEnglandthanA.texanus.A.sericus isknowntonestinthegroundwheremultiplefemalesshareasingleentrance.Insidethenest,eachfemalehastheirowncellwheretheystockfoodandtakecareoftheiryoung.
SteveNanz;steven
anz.com
Agapostemon sericeus
MollyJa
cobson
Agapostemontexanus
44
Greensweatbeescontinued
45
Célia
Bordier
Augochlora pura
ThegreensweatbeeAugochlora pura isasmall,shinybeeoftenfoundinwoodedareaswhereitnestsinpre-existingcavitiesinrottingwood.Interestingly,whilenormallygreen,therehavebeenindividualsfoundwithdeepblueandbrightyellowovertones.Thesebeesnestsolitarily,butdependingonnestingresourceavailability,femalesmaynestincloseproximity.Somenestshaveevenbeenfoundtowindbetweeneachother.Asageneralist,thisgreensweatbeepollinatesawidevarietyofflowersduringspringandsummerseason.Itisacommonvisitortogardens.
Greensweatbeescontinued
46
ThemediumsizedbrilliantgreenbeeAugochloropsis metallica
isfoundacrossNorthAmerica.Thisgeneralistpollinatornestsinthegroundandisactiveduringsummer.Itcanbedistinguishedfromothergreensweatbeesbyits‘D’shapedtegula (wingattachmentcover).
MollyJa
cobson
Augochloropsis metallica
Célia
Bordier
Augochlorellaaurata
Augochlorella aurata isasmallmetallicgreenbee,sometimeswithblue,yellow,orcopperhues.ThisgeneralistpollinatorisfoundfromtheRockyMountainstotheeasterncoastbetweenMaytoOctober.Theyprimarilynestsocially,butoccasionallysolitarilyincoolerclimates.
Greensweatbeescontinued
47
Lasioglossum isoneofthemostwidespreadandnumerousgenerainNorthAmericaandcanbefoundfromspringthroughlatefall.Thereareroughly300speciesinNorthAmericaand100speciesinNewEngland.Theyrangefromatenthtohalfaninchinsize.Membersinthisgenusrangeincolorfromblackanddulltogreenandmetallicspecies.Manyappearsimilarincolorandshapeandarechallengingtotellapart- evenforexperts.WhilemanyspeciesofLasioglossum aresolitary,somearesocialandformeusocialcolonies.
MollyJa
cobson
Lasioglossumtegulare
Célia
Bordier
SmalldarksweatbeesHalictidaeLasioglossum
Thesmall,darksweatbeeLasioglossumpilosum isaverycommonbee.Thisgoldengreenbeeissmallinsizeandhasdensewoollyhairscoveringmostofitsbody.ItisfoundthroughouteasternNorthAmericabetweenMarchandOctober.Asabroadgeneralistpollinator,ithasbeenrecordedvisitingover80differentfloweringplantspecies.Itnestsinthesoil.
48
TomM
urray;Bugguide.ne
t
Lasioglossumpilosum
Smalldarksweatbeescontinued
49
BeesinthegenusAnthidium arealsoknownaswoolcarderbees.Thenamederivedfromthefemale’sabilitytousetheirlarge,sharpjawstogathersoftplantfiberstoinsulatetheirnests.AllspeciesinNewEnglandandnon-native.AparticularlystrikingbehaviorthatsetsAnthidiumapartfromotherbeesisthatmalesterritoriallydefendapatchofflowers.Becauseoftheiraggressivenature,malesareknowntokillotherbeesthathappentowanderintotheirterritory.Mostwoolcarderbeespeciescanberecognisedbytheirdistinctyellowandblackcolorationsandbrightlycoloredeyes.Despitethiscolorationtheyshouldnobeconfusedwithwasps–seephotobelowforcomparison.
MollyJa
cobson
Anthidiummanicatum
(bee)Philanthus ventilabris
(wasp)
WoolcarderbeesMegachilidaeAnthidium
50
MollyJa
cobson
Anthidiummanicatum
TheEuropeanwoolcarderbee,Anthidium
manicatum,isamediumsizedbeewithblackandyellowcoloration.ItwasintroducedtotheUSfromEuropeinthe1960’sandquicklycolonizedthecontinent.Thisbeere-usesoldnestingsitesandcavities,makingiteasytospread.
Woolcarderbeescontinued
Theoblongwoolcarderbee,Anthidium
oblongatum,isblackwithyellowbandsalongitsheadandabdomen.TheyaregenerallysmallerthanA.manicatum.OriginallyfromEurope,itisfoundthroughouttheeasternUSduringsummerandautumn.Thisbeeisattractedtobird’sfoottrefoil,Lotuscorniculatus.
MollyJa
cobson
Anthidiumoblongatum
51
ThegenusMegachile arecommonlyknownasleaf-cutterbees.Femalebeeschewoffpiecesofleavesandpetalstoincorporateintotheirnests.Unlikemanybees,femaleswilloftenmakemultiplenests.Thesebeesnestreadilyinpre-existingcavitiesandcanbeattractedtogardensbyinstallingbeehotels.TheyemergeearlyinspringandareactivethroughSeptember.Usuallygeneralistpollinatorssomeareextremespecialists,suchasM.pugnata thatusessunflowersandrelatedspecies.Thealfalfaleaf-cutterbeeMegachilerotundata,animportantcroppollinatorfore.g.alfalfaandcarrots.Thisbeeisthesmallestmemberofitsgroup.OriginallyfromEuropeandnotnativetoNorthAmerica,itisnowquitecommonandnaturalizedinmanypartsoftheworld.
MollyJa
cobson
Megachile rotundata
Leaf-cutterbeesMegachilidaeMegachile
52
Megachileinimica sayi isasubspeciesofthemorewidespread‘hostileleaf-cutterbee’,M.inimica.
NativetonortheasternUS,thisbeeisastrongspecialistonplantsfromthefamilyAsteraceae,includingsunflowers.Itdiffersinlegcolor(black)fromitssouthernrelativethatextendsitsrangeintoSouthAmerica.
MollyJa
cobson
Megachile inimica sayi
MollyJa
cobson
Megachile mendica
Megachile mendica isamedium-sized,blackbeewithwhitehairsonitshead,thorax,andabdomen,forminglateralbandsonthelatter.ItisperhapstomostcommonnativeMegachile species.Itnestsinthesoilandcanbefoundduringsummerandautumn.Thisspeciesusesleaforflowerclippingstolineitsnests.
Leaf-cutterbeescontinued
53
BeesinthegenusOsmia areknownasmasonbeesbecausetheyusemudandothersimilarsubstancesinnestconstruction.Theyaresmalltomediumsizedwitharobustbuild.Usuallyemergingintheearlyspring,theybuildsolitarynestsinpre-existingundergroundburrows,crevassesinwood,stone,concrete,andknowntooccupyoldsnailshells.Somemason bees,liketheblueorchardbee(Osmia
lignaria)andthehorn-facedbee(O.cornifrons),areusedcommerciallyintheagriculturalsectoraspollinatorstoenhanceproductionoffruitsandnuts.
KatherineOdanaka
Osmia lignaria
MasonbeesMegachilidaeOsmia
Sabine
Noo
ten
Osmiacornifrons
54
TheblueorchardbeeOsmialignaria isanativespeciesofOsmia.Thismediumsizedbeeisrecognizedbyitsmetallicbluecolorandamixofblackandwhitehairsonthebody.ItisageneralistthroughoutNorthAmericathatoccursinspringandusuallydiesoffbytheendofJune.
MollyJa
cobson
Osmia lignaria
Thehorn-facedbee,O. cornifrons,originallycamefromJapanandwasintroducedinthelate1970’sastoenhancecroppollination.Thisbeehasadarkbodylooselycoveredwithlongredbrowntopalehair.Femalescanberecognizedbyhornlikeprotrusionsonthelowerendoftheirface.
MollyJa
cobson
Osmiacornifrons
Masonbeescontinued
55
CullenFranchino
Hoplitisproducta
ThemasonbeegenusHoplitisisasmalltomediumsizedbeevaryinginsizefromaquartertohalfaninch.TheyaresmalleranddarkerincolorationthanOsmia.Likeothermasonbeestheyalsouseamixofsubstratestomakemudpartitionsfornestconstructionortowraptheireggsinaprotectiveenvelope.InterestinglyHoplitis havebeenobservedinnestsbuiltinstemsbysmallcarpenterbees,genusCeratina.Todate,onecanonlyspeculateiftheyco-inhabitorusurpedthenest.Hoplitisbeesareknowntoreturntothesamenesttheywerebornintomaketheirownnests.
MollyJa
cobson
Hoplitits sp.
MasonbeesMegachilidaeHoplitis
56
Althoughmostbeesvisitflowerstocollectpollentoprovisionnestcells,thereareafewgenerawhodonot.Instead,thesethievesrelyonthepollencollectinglabor ofotherbees.Calledcleptoparasites,orcuckoobees,thesebeesbehavesimilarlytocuckoobirds,whichlayeggsinthenestsofotherbirdsandforcetheotherbirdtocareforthecuckoobirdoffspring.Cleptoparasitism inbeeshasevolvedatleast27times,eachinadifferentlineageandthislifestyleisfoundacrossthedifferentbeefamilies.Manyofthecuckoobeescomeinstrikingpatternsofredsandyellowsgivingthemaverywaspishlook.Cuckoobeesaremostfrequentlyencounteredhoveringnearthegroundornectaring atflowers.
MollyJa
cobson
Nomada sp.
Cuckoobees parasiticbees
57
Thereareanestimated300speciesofNomadaintheUS.MostofthemparasitizethenestsofAndrena,althoughtherearerecordsofthemusingothergeneraincludingAgapostemonaswell.
MollyJa
cobson
Nomada sp.
Cuckoobees ApidaeNomada
TheNomada areamongthemostcommonlyencounteredofthecuckoobees.Thesebeesaregenerallyhairlessandcomeinavastarrayofredsandyellows.IntheUS,theyaretheonlybeeobservedtobeentirelyredincolor.
©Ch
arleyEiseman;w
ww.charle
yeise
man.com
Nomadasp.
Large aggregationsofAndrena willattractfemaleandmaleNomada. Theycanbeseenhoveringinandnearhostnestsites.
58
MollyJa
cobson
Nomada luteoloides
LikemostNomada,N.luteoloides isdarkbrownandyellowincolor.ItisfoundintheeasternhalfoftheUnitedStatesuptotheHudsonBay.Throughoutthespringfemalescanbeseenhoveringalongthegroundsearchingforhostnestswhilemalesarecommonlyseennectaring atflowers.
Cuckoobees ApidaeNomada andHolcopasites
Holcopasites isastrikinggenusofparasiticbeefromthefamilyApidae.Theyhaveredabdomensandablackthoraxwitharoughtexture.Onlyaboutaquarterinchinlength,theyareoftenoverlooked.ThereisonlyonespeciesinNewEnglandanditparasitisesthenestsoftheCalliopsis,andrenid bees.
MollyJa
cobson
Holcopasites calliopsidis
59
Triepeolus isanothergenusofparasiticbee.Theyhavebodieswithdistinctivewhitehairpatterns,blackorbrightredlegsandlargebodiesthatmakesthemeasytoidentify.TheyarestrikinglysimilarincolorationandappearancetofellowcleptoparasiticgenusEpeolus.Triepeolus isanestparasiteofsweatbees,Nomia
andDieunomia,andeucerine bees,includingmembersofthegenusMelissodes.Thesebeesarefoundduringthesummerandfallmonthsnectaringatavarietyofdifferentflowers.
MollyJa
cobson
Triepeolus nr.donatus
CuckoobeesApidaeTriepeolus
60
ThegenusSphecodes isanothertypeofcuckoobee.Themembersofthisgenusparasitizeothersweatbeespecies,suchasthesmalldarkLasioglossum
sweatbees.TheyhavebeenobservedparasitizingspeciesofothergeneraincludingtheminingbeesAndrenaandCalliopsis,andColletes cellophanebees.SomespeciesofSphecodes aresocialparasites.Theparasiticfemalesremaininthenestwiththehost.Littleresearchhasbeendoneonthesebees,andmuchoftheirbiologyisstillamystery.
Sabine
Noo
ten
Sphecodes sp.
CuckoobeesHalictidaeSphecodes
61
Coelioxys isagenusofparasiticbeesthatcanbeidentifiedbytheirextremelypointedabdomen.Thesebeesareusuallyblackwithwhitestripesontheabdomenandsomespecieshaveredlegsandcolorfuleyes.TheyarefoundthroughoutNorthAmerica.ThemostcommonhostsofthisgenusaretheMegachileleaf-cutterbees,buttheyhavealsobeenknowntoparasitizeAnthophora nests.Theirparasitichatchlingsusepowerfuljawstoattackahosteggorlarvaandcutitinhalf.
MollyJa
cobson
Coelioxys octodentatus
CuckoobeesMegachilidaeCoelioxys
Flowersprovideallofthefoodbeesneedtosurvive.Beesobtainproteinfrompollenandsugarfromfloralnectar.Havingadiversityandabundanceofflowersinbloomfromearlyspringthroughautumnisnecessarytoprovideadequatenutritionforbeestofeedthemselvesandtheiroffspring,inadditiontoprovidingnestingsubstrateforsomebeespecies.Inthefollowingpageswehighlightsomenativeandnon-nativeherbaceousflowersthatsupportbeeslocally.Plantingnativespeciesisrecommended,butweincludecommonflowersandmanynon-nativesthatarewellestablishedinNewEngland.Thesearesortedbyseasonalbloomtimeandthenlistedalphabeticallybasedonthecommonname.
62
Sabine
Noo
ten
Floweringplantsforbees
63
MollyJa
cobson
Flowertype:Aradialwhiteflowerwith8-12petalsandyellowcenter
Flower diameter:
~1.25”
Foliage:
Asingleleafandfloweroneachstem,leavesbasalsimpleorlobed
Height: 12-14”
Location:Woodlands
Growthconditions:● Sun- shadeto
partshade● Soil- loam● Moisture-
moist
SpringBloomingPlants
BloodrootSanguinaria canadensis
Beeforagers:CuckoobeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
64
Flowertype:Large,flatclustersofvibrantorangeflowerswithfiveuprightpetalsandfivedownwardfacingpetals
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage:Lance-shapedleavesthatgrowfrom2-5”alongslender,hairystems
Height:1-3’
Location:Fields
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- sandy● Moisture– dry
SpringBloomingPlants
Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesCuckoobeesGreenbeesLeaf-cutterbeesMiningbeesResinbeesSweatbees
Sabine
Noo
ten
NativetoNewEngland
SpringBloomingPlants
Carolinaspring-beautyClaytoniacaroliniana
65
Flowertype:Fivepalepinkorwhitepetals
Flowerdiameter:~0.50”
Foliage:singlepairofopposite,simpleleaves
Height:4-12”
Location:Floodplain,forestedges,forests
Growthconditions:● Sun– partshade● Soil- any● Moisture-
medium
Samue
lFreli;W
ikiped
ia.org
Beeforagers:CuckoobeesGroundbeesMiningbeesSmallcarpenterbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
66
Flowertype:Compositeflowerhead,brightyellow
Flowerdiameter:~1.5”
Foliage:Leavesgrowbasally,longerthanwide,toothedorlobed
Height:4-12”
Location:disturbedareas,fieldsandmeadows,abundantweed
Growthconditions:● Sun- shadetofull
sun● Soil- sand,loam,
clay● Moisture- medium
Célia
Bordier
SpringBloomingPlants
CommondandelionTaraxacumofficinale
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesHoneybeesMiningbeesSweatbees
Non-native
67
Célia
Bordier
Flowertype:White,five-petaledflowerssurroundingadensegroupofyellowstamens
Flowerdiameter:~0.75”
Foliage:Leavesdividedin3leaflets,coarselytoothed,plantsgrowfromstemsrisingfromrunnersalongtheground
Height:4-8”
Location:Dry,openspaces,forestedges
Growthconditions:● Sun- partshade
tofullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- dry
SpringBloomingPlants
CommonstrawberryFragariavirginiana
Beeforagers:CarpenterbeesCuckoobeesMasonbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
70
Flowertype:Lightpurple,fivepetaledflowersthatgrowinsmallclustersfromasinglestem
Flowerdiameter:~0.75”
Foliage:Slenderbutsturdystemslinedwith3”long,oval-shapedleavesandforminginlargegroupsontheforestfloor
Height: 6-10”
Location:Woodlands
MollyJa
cobson
SpringBloomingPlants
CreepingphloxPhlox stolonifera
Beeforagers:Beeswithlongtonguesincluding-Bumblebees-Leafcutters-Masonbees
Growthconditions:● Sun- shadeto
partsun● Soil- any● Moisture-
mediumtomoist
NativetoNewEngland
69
Sabine
Noo
ten
Flowertype:Denseclustersofbrightyellowflowers
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage:Coarselytoothedbasalleaveswithalargelobeattheend,upperleavesegg-shaped
Height: 1-2’
Location:Roadsidesandmeadows,common
Growthconditions:● Sun- shade
tofullsun● Soil- any● Moisture-
medium
SpringBloomingPlants
GardenyellowrocketBarbarea vulgaris
Beeforagers:CellophanebeesCuckoobeesHoneybeesMiningbeesSweatbees
Non-native
70
Height:1-2’
Location:Prairie,meadow,openwoodlands,pastures
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- sand,loam● Moisture- any
level
FanWen
;Wikiped
ia.org
SpringBloomingPlants
LanceleafcoreopsisCoreopsis lanceolata
Flowertype:Rayanddiskflowers;rayflowershavefourlobesattips
Flowerdiameter:~1-2”
Foliage:Multipleerectstems;opposite,sessile,linearoblongleaves
NativetoNewEngland
Beeforagers:BumblebeesHoneybeesLong-hornedbees
Flowertype:Blue-purplepeaflowersindense6-18”cone-shapedterminalclusters
Flowerdiameter:~1”
Foliage:Long,sturdystemwithlong-stalkedcompoundleaveswith12-18oblongleafletsradiatingfromacentralpoint
Height:2-4’
Location:Fieldsandroadsides
Growthconditions:● Sun- partshade
tofullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- any
level
71
DustyDu
rant
SpringBloomingPlants
Large-leavedlupineLupinus polyphyllus
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesSweatbeesMasonbeesLeaf-cutterbees
NativetoNewEngland
72
Sabine
Noo
ten
Flowertype:Largecompositeflowerwithreddishpurpleraysandanorange-reddisk
Flowerdiameter:~2-4”
Foliage: Erectstem,lowerleavestoothedandegg-shapedonlongstalks
Height: 1-4’
Location: Openforestsandprairies
Growthconditions:● Sun- partto
fullsun● Soil- sand● Moisture-
dry
SpringBloomingPlants
PurpleConeflowerEchinaceapurpurea
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesDiggerbeesLeaf-cutterbeesLong-hornedbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
73
Célia
Bordier
Flowertype:Whitetopaleblueflowerswithfourfusedpetalssurroundingayellowcenter
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage:slenderstem,leavesatbaseoblongintufts,atstemtinyandopposite
Height:2-8”
Location:Grassymeadows,fields,andopenwoods
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- any● Moisture– moist
SpringBloomingPlants
QuakerladyHoustonia caerulea
BeeForagers:Sweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
74
Sabine
Noo
ten
Flowertype:Dense,flatclustersofwhiteflowers
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage: Leavesentire,largeshrubwithred-coloredyoungbranches
Height:6-12’
Location: Wetplaces,marshesandshorelines
SpringBloomingPlants
Red-osierdogwoodCornus sericea
Growthconditions:● Sun- partshade● Soil- any● Moisture- moist
Beeforagers:Miningbees(specialists)Andrenafragilis
Andrenaintegra
Andrenaperisimulata
Andrenaplatyparia
NativetoNewEngland
75
Flowertype:Sparseclustersoffive-petaled,purpleflowersontheapicesofstems
Flowerdiameter:~1.25”
Foliage: Leavesdeeplydividedintotoothedlobesonslenderstems
Height:1-3’
Location:Woodlandedgesandmoistmeadows
Growthconditions:● Sun- shadeto
partshade● Soil- any● Moisture- moist
MollyJa
cobson
SpringBloomingPlants
SpottedgeraniumGeranium maculatum
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesCuckoobeesMasonbeesMiningbeesSweatbees&aspecialistbee=Andrenadistans
NativetoNewEngland
76
Sabine
Noo
ten
Flowertype:Small,long-stalkedclustersofyellowflowerswithfivepetals
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage:Leavesdividedin3s,similartoclover,longslenderstems,branchingvariablyandmostlyupright
Height:3-15”
Location:Fields,meadows,andopenwoodlands
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- dry
SpringBloomingPlants
Yellowwoodsorrel Oxalisstricta
Beeforagers:CarpenterbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
77
Sabine
Noo
ten
Flowertype:Brightyellowpeaflowersinterminalumbels
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage:Slenderstemswithcompoundleaves,3pointyleafletsatthetopand2atthebase
Height:2-20”
Location:Fieldsandroadsides
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- any
level
SummerBloomingPlants
Bird’sfoottrefoilLotuscorniculatus
Beeforagers:BumblebeesLeaf-cutterbeesMasonbeesMiningbeesSweatbeesAnthidiumoblongatum
(specialist)
Non-native
78
Flowertype:Narrowspikeswithsmalltubularpurpleflowers
Flowerdiameter:~0.25”
Foliage:Squarestemswithopposite,simpleleaves
Height:2-5’
Location:Meadows,woods,prairies,ditches,andpastures
Growthconditions:● Sun– fullor
partialsun● Soil- sand● Moisture- moist
CodyHou
gh;W
ikiped
ia.org
SummerBloomingPlants
BluevervainVerbana hastata
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesCuckoobeesMaskedbeesMiningbeesSweatbees NativetoNewEngland
79
Flowertype:Clustersoffive-petaled,brightyellowflowerswithspotsonthemargins
Flowerdiameter:~0.25”
Foliage:simple,oppositeleaves;0.75-1.5’ling
Height:6-20’
Location:riverandlakeshores,swamps,wetlandmargins
Robe
rtH.M
ohlenb
rock;W
ikiped
ia.org
SummerBloomingPlants
CanadianSt.John’swortHypericumcanadense
Growthconditions:● Sun- sun● Soil- wet● Moisture- moist
Beeforagers:BumblebeesSweatbees NativetoNewEngland
80
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Flowertype:Dense,sphericalclustersofpinktopurpleflowerswithfiveupwardandfivedownwardfacingpetals
Flowerdiameter: ~0.25”
Foliage:Thick,hairystemswithlarge,short-stalkedleavesthatreleaseathickwhitesubstancewhenbroken
Height:2-6’
Location:Fieldsandroadsides
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- moist
SummerBloomingPlants
CommonmilkweedAsclepias syriaca
Beeforagers:BumblebeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
81
DustyDu
rant
Flowertype:Terminalheadsofsmall,dense,brightred-pinkflorets,moreelongatethanotherclover
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”~2”height
Foliage:Leavestrifoliate,leafletshairywithbilobedapexalonguprightslenderstems
Height:10-20”
Location:Forestedges,fields,androadsides
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- moist
SummerBloomingPlants
CrimsoncloverTrifoliumincarnatum
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesHoneybeesMasonbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
Non-native
82
Flowertype:Tightgroupofpinktopurplefloretsattheapex
Flowerdiameter:1-2”
Foliage:Anerect,hairystemwithmanyspinedwings,leaveslong,alternate,deeplylobed;leavesgreenontopandwhiteunderneath
Height:2-7’
Location:Colonizesmoisttodrysoils;pastures,oldfields,roadsides,forestedge
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- any
level
GeorgeFM
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SummerBloomingPlants
FieldthistleCirsiumdiscolor
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesLeaf-cutterbeesMaskedbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
83
Flowertype:Deep,tubular,whiteflowersmadeoftwolips
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”~1.25”length
Foliage:Slenderstemswithlongtaperingleaves,ellipticleavesatbase
Height:3-5’
Location:Meadows,fields,andforestedges
Growthconditions:● Sun- parttofull
sun● Soil- sandand
loam● Moisture- any
level
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SummerBloomingPlants
FoxglovebeardtonguePenstemondigitalis
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesDiggerbeesLeaf-cutterbeesMasonbeesSweatbeesWool-carderbees
NativetoNewEngland
84
Wikiped
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Flowertype:Dense,small,whiteflowers;two-lippedpetals
Flowerdiameter:~.75”
Foliage:Narrow,opposite,simpleleaves;Leaves2.5”long
Height:3’
Location:Meadows,forestedges,anddisturbedhabitats
Growthconditions:● Sun- partialto
fullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- all
SummerBloomingPlants
MountainmintPycnanthemum virginianum
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCuckoobeesMasonbeesMiningbeesSweatbeesNativetoNewEngland
85
Flowertype:Flatyellowflowerwithfiveovaltoheart-shapedpetals
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage:Alternateandcompoundleaves;leaflets~3”long
Height:1-3’
Location:fields,roadsides,wasteareas,disturbedsoil
Growthconditions:● Sun- parttofull
sun● Soil- loam● Moisture-
medium
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SummerBloomingPlants
RoughcinquefoilPotentillanorvegica
Beeforagers:BumblebeesMaskedbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
86
Forestand
Kim
Starr;W
ikipeida.org
Flowertype:Yellowflowerswithfiveirregularpetals
Flowerdiameter:~0.6”length
Foliage:Hairless,multiplestems;alternate,oblongleaves;leaves1.2-2.4”long
Height:1-2’
Location:Rivers,ponds,woods,prairies,thickets,roadsides
Growthconditions:● Sun- sun● Soil- sandy● Moisture- moist
SummerBloomingPlants
SensitivepartridgepeaChamaecrista nictitans
Beeforagers:BumblebeesMasonbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
87
Flowertype:Fivebroadroundedpetalswithwavyedges;pinktodeeprose;numerousyellowstamens
Flowerdiameter:~2-3”
Foliage:Shrubwithoutpricklesalongitsstems;leavesarealternateandcompound;leafletsare1-1.5”long
Height:4-7’
Location:Woodlandedges,prairie,lakeshores
Growthconditions:● Sun– sun;part
shade● Soil- clay● Moisture-
mediumtodry
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SummerBloomingPlants
SmoothroseRosablanda
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesMaskedbeesMasonbeesSweatbeesNativetoNewEngland
88
Flowertype:Orangeflowerswiththreelobedcorolla
Flowerlength:~1”
Foliage:Ovate,alternateleaves,~5”long
Height:2-5’
Location:Woodlands,alongrivers,androadsideditches
Growthconditions:● Sun- parttofullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- moist
D.Gordo
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ertson
;Wikiped
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SummerBloomingPlants
SpottedjewelweedImpatienscapensis
Beeforagers:BumblebeesLongtonguedbees
NativetoNewEngland
FritzGeller-Grim
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89
Flowertype:Pyramidshapedclusters;densepinktorosepurpleflowers
Flowerdiameter:~0.06”
Foliage:Reddishbrown,hairystemslinedwithtoothed,ovateleaves
Height:2-4’
Location:wetlands;sandymarshes;shorelines
Growthconditions:● Sun– Sun● Soil- loam● Moisture- moist
SummerBloomingPlants
SteeplebushSpiraea tomentosa
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesMaskedbeesMiningbeesSweatbeesNativetoNewEngland
Steven
G.Joh
nson
;Wikiped
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90
Flowertype:Compositeflowerwithmanyslender,whitefloretsinaroundhead
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage:Leavesinleafletsof3swithdistinctlight-colored markings
Height:6-24”
Location:Fields,roadsidesandmeadows
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- clay● Moisture- moist
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SummerBloomingPlants
WhitecloverTrifoliumrepens
Beeforagers:BumblebeesHoneybeesMasonbeesMiningbeesSweatbees Non-native
91
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Flowertype:Smallelongateclustersofwhitetopale-pinkflowerswith5petals
Flowerdiameter:~0.25”
Foliage:Finelytoothed,lance-shapedleavesalternatingalongthestem
Height:2-6’
Location:Wetlandsandfreshwatershorelines
Growthconditions:● Sun- shadetofull
sun● Soil- any● Moisture-
mediumtowet
SummerBloomingPlants
WhitemeadowsweetSpiraea alba
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesMiningbees
NativetoNewEngland
Flowertype:Denseroundedclusterofpurplish-pinktubularflowersaroundagreencentraldisk
Flowerdiameter:~1.5”
Foliage:Toothed,lance-shapedleaves;oppositealongunbranchedsquarestems
Height:2-3’
Location:Hillsidesandforestedges
Growthconditions:● Sun- parttofullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- medium
todry
92
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AutumnBloomingPlants
WildbergamotMonardafistulosa
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesLeaf-cutterbeesLong-hornedbeesResinbeesSweatbeesWool-carderbees
NativetoNewEngland
93
WyattShe
ll
Flowertype:Largecompositeflowerwithacone-shaped,blackcentraldisksurroundedbythin,yellowrayflorets
Flowerdiameter:2-4”
Foliage:Thinlytoothedleavesalongacoarsebristlystem
Height:1-3’
Location:Openspaces
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- sand● Moisture- any
level
AutumnBloomingPlants
Black-eyedSusanRudbeckiahirta
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesCuckoobeesLeaf-cutterbeesLong-hornedbeesSweatbeesAndrenarudbeckia
(specialist)NativetoNewEngland
94
MollyJa
cobson
Flowertype:Curvedone-sidedclustersofsmallyellowflowersatbranchtips
Flowerdiameter:<0.25”length
Foliage:Leaveslanceshaped,sharplytoothed,uniforminsize,smoothstemnearthebase,downyabove
Height:1-5’
Location:Fieldsandroadsides
Growthconditions:● Sun- parttofullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- medium
todry
AutumnBloomingPlants
CanadagoldenrodSolidagocanadensis
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesCellophanebeesCuckoobeesDiggerbeesMaskedbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
95
D.Gordo
n,E.R
obertson
;Wikiped
ia.org
Flowertype:Compositeflowersmadefrommanybrightyellowflorets,onlongstalks,oftenmorethanonecrownperstalk
Flowerdiameter:~1”
Foliage:Simpleandalternateleaves;leavesare0.75-6’inlength
Height:1-3’
Location:Fields,beaches,woodsandwoodlandedges
Growthconditions:● Sun- shadeto
fullsun● Soil- loam● Moisture- moist
AutumnBloomingPlants
CanadahawkweedHieracium canadense
Beeforagers:BumblebeesLeaf-cutterbeesSweatbeesNativetoNewEngland
96
MollyJa
cobson
Flowertype:Denseclustersofsmall,whiteflowersattheapexofthehighestbranches
Flowerdiameter:0.1– 0.25”
Foliage:Bristlystemwithlarge,toothedlowerleavesonoppositesidesandconnectedaroundthestem
Height:4-6’
Location:Openwoodsandprairies
Beeforagers:BumblebeesMaskedbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
AutumnBloomingPlants
CommonbonesetEupatoriumperfoliatum
Growthconditions:● Sun- partshadeto
fullsun● Soil- sandandclay● Moisture- medium
tomoist
NativetoNewEngland
97
FritzFlohr
Reynolds;C
CBY
-SA3.0
Flowertype:solitarycrownswithmanywedge-shaped,three-toothed,yellowpetalsaroundacentral,knob-shapeddisk
Flowerdiameter:1-2”
Foliage:Slenderstemswithtoothed,lance-shapedleavescomingoffinwings
Height:2-6’
Location:Moistmeadowsandshorelines
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- clay● Moisture-
moist
AutumnBloomingPlants
CommonsneezeweedHeleniumautumnale
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesLeaf-cutterbeesLong-hornedbeesMaskedbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
98
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Flowertype:Compositeflowerwith50-100whiterayfloretsandayellowcentraldisk
Flowerdiameter:~0.75”
Foliage:Hairystemwithlanceshaped,toothedhairyleavesthroughoutitslength
Height:1-5’
Location:Fields,roadsidesanddisturbedareas
Growthconditions:● Sun- parttofullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- moist
AutumnBloomingPlants
EasterndaisyfleabaneErigeronannuus
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesCuckoobeesLong-hornedbeesMaskedbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
99
Flowertype:40-50purplerayssurroundingayellow-redcentraldisk
Flowerdiameter:1-2”
Foliage:Lance-shaped,claspedleavessurroundingastemcoveredinbristlyhairs
Height:2-8’
Location:Fieldsanddampmeadows
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesSweatbees
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AutumnBloomingPlants
NewEnglandAsterAster novae-angliae
Growthconditions:● Sun– partshade
tofullsun● Soil- sand,loam,
clay● Moisture- moist
NativetoNewEngland
100
Rebe
ccaDe
w
Flowertype:Compositeflowerinroundheadswithslender,purpletodarkpinkflorets
Flowerdiameter:~0.5”
Foliage:Leavesinleafletsof3swithawhite,crescentshape
Height:6-24”
Location:Fieldsandmeadows
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- loam● Moisture- moist
AutumnBloomingPlants
RedcloverTrifoliumpratense
Beeforagers:BumblebeesHoneybeesMasonbeesMiningbeesSweatbeesNon-native
101
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Flowertype:Compositeflowerwithlong,yellowrayfloretsandacone-shaped,browncentraldisk
Flowerdiameter: ~2”
Foliage:Large,egg-shapedleaveswithlongstalksandcoarseteethoppositeatsmoothstem
Height:2-5’
Location:Openwoodsandthickets
Growthconditions:● Sun- fullsun● Soil- sand● Moisture- moist
AutumnBloomingPlants
SmoothoxeyeHeliopsis helianthoides
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCuckoobeesLeaf-cutterbeesLong-hornedbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
102
Flowertype:Yellowflowersincurvedone-sidedclustersatcentralstemandbranches
Flowerdiameter:~0.25”length
Foliage:Lance-shaped,lightly-toothedleavesalongagreyanddownystem
Height:2-7’
Location:Dry,openspaces
Growthconditions:● Sun- parttofull
sun● Soil- sand,loam,
clay● Moisture- moist
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AutumnBloomingPlants
TallgoldenrodSolidagoaltissima
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesDiggerbeesMaskedbeesMiningbeesSweatbees
NativetoNewEngland
103
Flowertype:Flowerspikeswithlong,irregular,tubularflowers;color canbepurple,pink,andoccasionallywhite
Flowerdiameter:~0.24”
Foliage:Leavesareoppositeandsimplewithtoothededgesandapointedtip;stemsaresquareandcoveredinshorthairs
Height:2-4’
Location:Woods;alongstreamsandrivers
Growthconditions:● Sun- parttofullsun● Soil- any● Moisture- moist
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AutumnBloomingPlants
PurplegianthyssopAgastachescrophulariifolia
Beeforagers:BumblebeesCarpenterbeesLeaf-cutterbeesLong-hornedbeesResinbeesSweatbeesWool-carderbees
NativetoNewEngland
HabitatlossThelargestthreatfacingbeesishabitatlossduetothedestructionofnaturallandscapes.Inprotectedandrestoredenvironments,beeshaveaccesstoavarietyofdifferentfloweringplantsthattheycanforageon,anddifferentsubstratesthattheycanusetoconstructnests.
Globally,wehaveseendramaticdeclinesofwildbees.IntheUSalone,thereareeightnativebeesthathavebeenplacedontheendangeredspecieslist,sevenaremaskedbeesfromHawaii.Themostnotable,andonlybeetobefoundinthecontinentalUS,istherustypatchedbumblebee.Formostbeestherearenostatusassessmentsandwehavemuchtolearn.Thereisnotonespecificcauseforwildbeedecline,ratherthedeclineswearewitnessingareacomplexinteractionbetweenmanydifferentfactors.Thesefactorsinclude:
1. Habitatloss2. Climatechange3. Invasivespeciesanddisease
MollyJa
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Bee conservation
104
year.Ifthetimingisoff,beesmayemergetooearlyortoolateandtheflowerstheyfeedonwillhavealreadyfinishedtheirbloomingcycle.Changesinemergenceofbothflowersandbeesismostdetrimentaltopollenandnectarspecialists.
Humanactivitiessuchassubstantialmonoculturesandexpansiveagricultureandurbanizationthatimpactthenaturalenvironmentmakingitdifficultforbeestofindenoughresourcestosurvive.Oneoftheeasiestwaystoreducethelossofwildbeesistoprovidenativefloweringplantsforthemtoforageon.Forotherwayswecanhelpnativebeesflourishcanbefoundinthe“KeepingtheBees”sectionofthisbooklet.
Globalclimatechange
Changesintemperatureandrainfallcancauseproblemsforbees.Forexample,beesforageandtheirpreferredflowersbloomatthesametimeof
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Introducedspeciesanddisease
Introducedbeeandplantspeciescancausemanyproblems.Non-nativeplantsandpollinatorsmayout-competenativespeciesanddrivewildspeciesawayfromtheirnaturalenvironments.Additionally,introducedspeciesofplantsandanimalsmaybringdiseasesthatcandecimatenativepopulationswholackresistancetotheseforeignpathogens.Exoticbeeandplantspeciescanspreadrapidlyoutcompetingnativepopulations.
KatherineOdanaka
Theoblongwoolcarderbee(Anthidiumoblongatum)
and thebird’sfoottrefoil (Lotuscorniculatus)arebothintroducedspecies.
106
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Beesandotherpollinatorsareessentialforthesurvivalofalmosteveryterrestrialecosystem.ItisestimatedthatthesesmallworkerscontributebillionsofdollarsworthofworktotheagriculturalsectorintheUSalone.Therearemanythreatstothesespecies,andmakingsurewedoeverythingwecantoconservethemisvitalfortheirpersistence.Helpingoursix-leggedneighbors isnotjustajobforscientistsandresearchers;everyonecanandshouldgetinvolved.HereweprovideinformationonafewwaysthatyoucansupportthenativebeesofNewEngland!
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grassprovidenofoodforpollinatorsandalsomakethedistancesbetweennestingandforagingareastoolargetosupportsomespeciesofbees.Onewaytohelpsolvethisproblemistoleavea“softedge,”afewfeetofun-mowedlawnalongtheoutskirtstoallowflowerstobloomandprovidebeeswithafoodsource.Pesticideandherbicidecontrol
Herbicidescankillplantsthatbeescanforageon.Pesticidesarechemicalsusedtokillinsectsthatcauseproblemsforhumans,butthesechemicalsalsoaffectthenativebees.Theuseofpesticidesandherbicidesonlawns,gardens,andcropsisunhealthyforeverymemberofthecommunity:
MowingChanginglawncarehabitsisoneoftheeasiestwaystosupportlocalbeespecies.Expansive,well-kemptlawnsmightlookappealingtosomelandscapers,butthishurtsthebeecommunityinmultipleways.Largetractsofmowed
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Anexampleofasoftedge
108
pollinators,plants,andotheranimals(includinghumans).Pleasedonotuseunlessabsolutelynecessarybecausetheykillinsects,includingbees.Beehotels
Asshowninthisfieldguide,manyofthenativebeespeciesinNewEnglandconstructtheirnestsinpre-existingcavitiesorburrowintothesoftcenters ofdeadwoodmaterials.Abeehotelissimplyacollectionofsuitablesticksforthesebeestocreatetheirnests.Drilledholesinuntreatedwood,stickswithpithycenters,andhollowedsticksofbamboocancreateagreatplaceforavarietyofbeestothrive.Beehotelsthrivewhenplacedinfullsunandprotectedwitharooftokeepthenestsdry.
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AbeehotelonUNHcampus109
Wildflowergardens
Notonlyarewildflowergardensattractivetothehumaneye,theyhelptocreatebuffetsforbees.Especiallyinurbanareaswherefloweringplantscanbefewandfarbetween,patchesofflowerscanhelptomaintainbeepopulations.Someornamentalflowersareunabletobepollinatedbythenativebeepopulations,soitisimportantandmuchmorebeneficialtousewildflowersthatbloomnaturallyinthesurroundingarea.Thesegardensnotonlyprovidesustenance,butcanmakeanemptyspacemuchmorebeautiful.
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Wildflower garden
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Resources
GoBotany.NewEnglandWildflowerSociety,2018.gobotany.newenglandwild.org
HolmH.2014.PollinatorsofNativePlants.PollinationPress.
LadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenter.TheUniversityofTexasatAustin,2018.www.wildflower.org/plants/
Newcom L.1977.Newcomb’sWildflowerGuide.Little,BrownandCompany.
PlantsForAFuture.PlantsForAFuture,2012.pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx
WilsonJS&Carril OM.2016.TheBeesInYourBackyard.PrincetonUniversityPress.
111
Indexofpollinatorsandwildflowers
Pollinators
112
Agapostemon 43,57Agapostemon sericus 44Agapostemontexanus 44Agapostemon virescens 6,43Andrena carlini 23
Andrena spp. 21,22,36,57,60Andrena vicina 24Andrena wilkella 23Anthidiumspp. 49Anthidium manicatum 49,50Anthidium oblongatum 50,106Anthophora 61Apis 25Apis mellifera 25Augochlora 43Augochlora pura 45Augochlorella 43Augochlorella aurata 46Augochloropsis 43Augochloropsis metallica 46Bandedsweatbee 40Beefly 19Beewolf 17Bicoloredstripedsweatbee 43Blueorchardbee 53,54
113
Bombus 14,26Bombusbimaculatus 27Bombusgriseocollis 27,28,105Bombusimpatiens 27,29Bombusperplexus 30Bombusspp. 14,26Bombusterricola 104Bombyliidae 19Brown-beltedbumblebee 27,28,105Bumblebee 9,11,14,26Calliopsis 58,60Cantharidae 19Cellophanebees 36,60Cerambycidae 20Ceratina calcarata 8,10,12,32Ceratina 32,55Chauliognathus pensylvanicus 19cleptoparasitic bee 7Coelioxys 61Colletes 36,60Colletes inaequalis 37Colletes validus 9,38Commoneasternbumblebee 27,29Crabronidae 17Cuckoobee 21,56Diggerwasp 17Dolichovespula sp. 18
114
EasternCarpenterBee 6Eucera 15,33,35Eucera pruinosa 15,33,35Europeanwoolcarderbee 50Flowerflies 16Greensweatbee 43Halictus 40Halictus confusus 41Halictus ligatus 40,41Halictus rubicundus 42Hemaris diffinis 17Holcopastites 58Honeybee 6,7,14,25Hoplitis 14,55Hornet 18Horn-facedbee 53,54Hummingbirdmoth 17Hylaeus 36,39Hylaeus modestus 39Laphria sp. 20Largecarpenterbee 10,11,31Lasioglossum 47,60Lasioglossum pilosum 15,48Lasioglossum tegulare 47Leaf-cutterbee 10,51,61Locustborer 20Long-hornedbee 33
115
Maskedbee 39Masonbee 53,55Megachile inimica sayi 52Megachile mendica 52Megachile rotundata 51Megachile sp. 5Megacyllene robiniae 20Melissodes 33,59Melissodes bimaculata 33Melissodes trinodis 34Miningbee 11,21,22,60Nomada luteoloides 7,58Nomada spp. 56,57Oblongwoolcarderbee 50,106Orangesunflowerbee 34Osmia 53Osmiacornifrons 10,53,54Osmialignaria 53,54Paperwasp 18Perplexingbumblebee 30Philanthus gibbosus 17Philanthus ventilabris 49Robberfly 20Sandwasp 17Smallcarpenterbee 8,10,32,55Smalldarksweatbee 47Soldierbeetle 19
116
Southernbronzefurrowbee 41Sphecodes 60Sphingidae 17Squashbee 15,35Sweatbee 11,59,60Syrphidae 16Systoechus vulgaris 19Toxomerus germinatus 16Triepeolus 59Triepeolus donatus 59Two-spottedlong-hornbee 33Two-spottedbumblebee 27Vespid wasp 18Woolcarderbee 49Xylocopa 31Xylocopa virginica 11,31Yellowjacket 18
Wildflowers
117
Agastachescrophulariifolia 103Apple 22Asclepias syriaca 80Asclepias tuberosa 64Asternovae-angliae 99Barbarea vulgaris 69Bird's-foottrefoil 50,77,106Blacklocust 20Black-eyedSusan 93Bloodroot 63Blueberry 30,38Bluevervain 78Butterflyweed 64Canadagoldenrod 94Canadahawkweed 95CanadienSt.John'swort 79Carolinaspringbeauty 65Chamaecrista nictitans 86Cirsiumdiscolor 82Claytoniacariliniana 65Commonboneset 96Commondandelion 66Commonmilkweed 80Commonsneezeweed 97
118
Commonstrawberry 67Coreopsislanceolata 70Cornus sericea 76Creepingphlox 70Crimsonclover 81Easterndaisyfleabane 98Echinaceapurpurea 72Erigeronannuus 98Eupatoriumperfoliatum 96Fieldthistle 82Foxglovebeardtongue 83Fragariavirginiana 67Gardenyellowrocket 69Geraniummaculatum 75Heleniumautumnale 97Helianthusannuus 34Heliopsis helianthoides 101Hieracium canadense 95Houstonia caerulea 73Hypericumcanadense 79Impatienscapensis 88Lanceleaf coreopsis 70Large-leavedlupine 71Liliumsp. 13Lotuscorniculatus 50,77,106Lupinus polyphyllus 71Maluspumila 22
119
Monardafistulosa 14,92Mountainmint 84NewEnglandAster 99Oxalisstricta 76Penstamon digitalis 83Phloxstolonifera 70Potentillanorvegica 85PurpleConeflower 72Purplegianthyssop 103Pycanthemum virginianum 84Quakerlady 73Redclover 100Red-oiserdogwood 74Rosablanda 87Roughcinquefoil 85Rudbeckia hirta 93Sanguinaria canadensis 63Sensitivepartridgepea 86Spottedjewelweed 88Smoothoxeye 5,101Smoothrose 87Solidago altissima 102Solidago canadensis 94Spiraea alba 91Spiraea tomentosa 89Spottedgeranium 75Steeplebush 89
120
Tallgoldenrod 102Taraxacum officinale 66Trifolium incarnatum 81Trifolium pratense 100Trifolium repens 90
Vacciniumcorymbosum 30,38Verbana hasta 78
Whiteclover 90Whitemeadowsweet 91
Wildbergamot 14,92Yellowwoodsorrel 76
cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
in2
13
4