Project Directors Gretchen LeBuhn and Trena Noval
Designer Kelly Green dearkellygreen.com
Illustrations Noel Pugh: Bee Illustrator fullpollenbasket.com Vessy Ivanova: Family Tree
Photography Kristy Baker, H.Go, Efram Goldberg, Nancy Hamlett, MJ Hatfield, Ron Hemberger, Gary McDonald, Tom Murray, Harsi Parker, Kurt Schaefer, Stephen Schueman, Lynette Schimming, Hartmut Wisch
Content Contributors Peralta Elementary School (Oakland, California) Teachers Pam Lucker, Anne Larsen and Ana Thomas and her 4th grade class, 2014
Funded with generous support from the Panta Rhea Foundation: www.pantarhea.org
For more information about this project and more, Bee All-Stars please visit www.greatsunflower.org
Bee Family Tree The family colors found in the small circles for each genera also Foraging Pollen Transport match the color banner on the front of each card. The following icons will Halictidae help you get to know Colletidae each bee better. specialists (sp) leg
2500 4300 species Physical Identification
5700 2900 species Apidae Andrenidae 2 submarginal 3 submarginal generalists (gn) abdomen 4000 cells (2sm) cells (3sm) species 20
Flight Seasons Megachilidae Stenotritidae
200 Melittidae Apoid Bees summer fall spring stores Apoid Wasps vegetarian internally hunt prey
Nesting
parasite ground cavity parasite - do not store pollen Apoidea (Superfamily withtin the order Hymenoptera) Genus Agapostemon Genus Hylaeus Physical Characteristics Physical Characteristics 3 0 3 0 Males have black / yellow striped Slender, hairless, black with bright yellow 2 9 2 9
abdomen. Females have bright shiny or white markings on face and legs, more 2 8 2 8 INCH
green head, thorax and abdomen, or a so on males. 2 7 INCH 2 7 1 2 6 1 2 6 black/brown abdomen with white hair 2 5 2 5
bands. Food Resources 2 4 2 4 2
No pollen-carrying scopa. Small body size 2 3 2 2 3
Food Resources enables them to access deep flowers. 2 2 2 2
3 Prefer shallow flowers. 2 1 3 2 1
Nests 2 0 2 0
Nests Twig and stem nesters who line brood cells 1 9 1 9 4
Nests in deep vertical burrows in flat with self-secreted cellophane-like material. 1 8 2 0 4 1 8 2 0
or sloping soil, sometimes in banks. Many rely on nest burrows made by 1 7 1 7
5 1 6 5 1 6
Mostly solitary, some nest communally. other insects. 1 5 1 5
1 4 1 4 6 Fun Fact female male Fun Fact 1 3 6 1 3
Only female bees overwinter. All male texanus texanus They carry both pollen and nectar internally
1 2 modestus 1 2 7 bees die in the fall. and regurgitate it upon returning to their 1nests. 1 7 1 1
Their yellow shaped marks on their1 faces 0 look 1 0
like they are wearing a wrestler’s9 mask. 9 8 Size 8 8 8
7 to 14.5 mm, or 7 Size 7
¼ to ½ inch 5 to 7 mm 9 6 9 6
5 or ¼ inch 5
4 4 10
3 10 3
2 2
11
CM 1 11 CM 1
greatsunflower.org/agapostemon greatsunflower.org/hylaeus
12 12
America
North America North
species in North North in species
worldwide, 14 in in 14 worldwide,
worldwide, 14 14 worldwide,
40 species in in species 40
700 species species 700
Family Colletidae Family (hi-LAY-us)
(ag-uh-PAHST-eh-mon)
Family Halictidae Family
Masked Bees Masked
Genus Hylaeus Genus
Genus Agapostemon Genus
Green Sweat Bee Sweat Green
or Yellow-Faced protected from water as they develop in the soil. cellophane bubbles so her young are well- Females line cells with a natural polymer like, Fun Fact aggregations. inches deep.) Sometimes nest in large Ground nesters in shallow nests (4-6 Nests Zygophyllaceae & Salicaceae in CA. Hydrophyllaceae, Boraginaceae, Malvaceae, Found on Asteraceae, Papilionaceae, ResourcesFood shaped abdomen slanted toward each other) and “teardrop” of hair on abdomen, “heart-shaped” face (eyes Moderately hairy and slender, with pale bands Physical Characteristics Colletes Genus greatsunflower.org/colletes
(koe-LEE-teez) Genus ColletesGenus
CM hyalinus
1 12 Size 7 to 16 mm, or about ½ to ¾ inch
2 worldwide 330 species 95 species in North America, 3 or Polyester Digger BeesDigger
Family Colletidae Family 11 4
5 productive until late fall. be established in spring and continue to be and help care for young. A single nest can In some Halictus , daughters remain in the nest Fun Fact and hundreds of workers. build long-lived nests with multiple queens queen and a few workers. Other species species have small nests with a single Semi social ground nesters. Some Nests in the Daisy family). Commonly found on Asteraceae (plants ResourcesFood edge of plates on abdomen. sheen, with bands of hair on outermost Dark brown to black or dark metallic green Physical Characteristics Genus Halictus
6 10
7
8 9
9 greatsunflower.org/halictus
1 0 8 1 1
1 2 ligatus
1 3
(hah-LICK-tuss) 7
Genus Halictus Genus 1 4
1 5 CM
1
12 1 6 Size 6 4.5 to 14 mm, or 1/8 to ½ inch
2 tripartitus 1 7 America 442 species worldwide, 10 worldwide,
species in North 3 Sweat Bee 1 8
Family Halictidae Family
11 4 5 1 9
5 2 0 2 0
6
10 2 1 4
7 2 2
8
2 3
9 9 3 2 4
1 0
2 5 8 1 1
2 6 2
1 2 2 7
1 3
2 8
7 1 4 1 2 9
1 5
3 0
1 6 INCH 6
1 7
1 8 5
1 9
2 0
2 1 4
2 2
2 3 3 2 4
2 5
2 6 2
2 7
2 8
1 2 9
3 0 INCH when returning from foraging. line nests, This helps the bee find its own nest unique combination of lactones that it uses to chemicals called lactones. Each bee has its own They have glands that produce mix of Fun Fact species will nest in rotten logs behaviors (both social and solitary). Some Ground nesters, can exhibit a full range of social Nests attracted to Oenothera and Clarkia . Are both specialists and generalists and ResourcesFood Duforeato , but antenna are higher on face. blue, bands of hair on their abdomen—similar Slender, dusky black to brown, dull green or Physical Characteristics Lasioglossum Genus
greatsunflower.org/lasioglossum (LAZE-ee-oh-gloss-um) Genus LasioglossumGenus
CM titusi
Size
3 to 10 mm, or
1 1/8 to 3/8 inch 12
2 over 1700 over 280 species in North America 3 species worldwide, species worldwide, Sweat Bee
Family Halictidae Family 11 4
5 and shaped host plants. species allow for foraging from different size The variation of mouth shapes in Duforea Fun Fact easily invaded by other bees. Nests can be very shallow in the ground and Nests Monarda , Phacelia , Mimulus and various others. Oenothera , Helianthus Campanula , Calochortus, including Linanthus , Eschscholzia , Clarkia Specialize on a wide variety of different plants ResourcesFood but have much lower antennae. very low on their face—similar to Lasioglossum , sometimes with red abdomens, antennae are Narrow black, dull green, or metallic blue bodies, Physical Characteristics Dufourea Genus
6 10
7
8 9
9 greatsunflower.org/dufourea
1 0 8 1 1
1 2
1 3 (dew-FOUR-ea) 7
1 4 Genus Dufourea Genus
1 5 CM vernalis
Size 3.5 – 11 mm long, or
1 about 1/8 to 3/8 inch
12 1 6 6
2 1 7 worldwide, worldwide, 170 species 80 species in North America 3 Sweat Bee 1 8
Family Halictidae Family
11 4 5 1 9
5 2 0 2 0
6
10 2 1 4
7 2 2
8
2 3
9 9 3 2 4
1 0
2 5 8 1 1
2 6 2
1 2 2 7
1 3
2 8
7 1 4 1 2 9
1 5
3 0
1 6 INCH 6
1 7
1 8 5
1 9
2 0 2 0
2 1 4
2 2
2 3 3 2 4
2 5
2 6 2
2 7
2 8
1 2 9
3 0 INCH birds. because their behavior mimics that of cuckoo from attack of host bee. Called “cuckoo bees” grooves in their exoskeleton to protect them Females have spines on hind legs, ridges and Fun Fact provisions of the host bees. offspring kill the host larvae and take over the lay their eggs in cells of the other species. Their They are cleptoparasites (nest invaders), and Nests: because they do not make their own nests. Do not forage for provisions for their offspring ResourcesFood often have red on their abdomen. Shiny slender brown to black wasp-like bees, Physical Characteristics Sphecodes Genus
greatsunflower.org/sphecodes (sfe-KO-deze) Genus SphecodesGenus antiochensis
CM
1 12 Size 4.5 - 15 mm long, or about 3/16 to 5/8 inch
2 America 300 species worldwide, 80 worldwide,
species in North 3 Cuckoo BeesCuckoo
Family Halictidae Family 11 4
5 eggs. This can take them 6 - 7 journeys to gather! about half their body weight in pollen to lay their largest of all bee genera. Females need to gather With over 1,300 species, Andrena are one of the Fun Fact Females line cells waxy material. Prefer sandy soil near or nest under shrubs. nest but build and provision their own nest cells. nest communally: two or more females share a Mostly solitary ground nesters but sometimes Nests Both generalist and specialists. ResourcesFood facial indentations (fovea) with white to brown hair. bands of hair on long slender abdomen, velvety metallic blue or green, some haveBlack/dull pale Physical Characteristics Andrena Genus
6 10
7
8 9
9 greatsunflower.org/andrena
1 0 8 1 1
1 2
1 3 (an-DREE-nuh) 7
1 4 Genus Andrena Genus
1 5 CM caerulea
1
12 1 6 Size 6 7 - 18 mm, or about ¼ to ¾ inch
2 ocelli 1 7 North America fovea worldwide, 550 in worldwide,
over 1300 species over 3 1 8
Family Andrenidae Family
Digger or Miner Bees Miner or Digger 11 4 5 1 9
5 2 0 2 0
6
10 2 1 4
7 2 2
8
2 3
9 9 3 2 4
1 0
2 5 8 1 1
2 6 2
1 2 2 7
1 3
2 8
7 1 4 1 2 9
1 5
3 0
1 6 INCH 6
1 7
1 8 5
1 9
2 0
2 1 4
2 2
2 3 3 2 4
2 5
2 6 2
2 7
2 8
1 2 9
3 0 INCH Genus Panurginus Genus Perdita Physical Characteristics Physical Characteristics 3 0 3 0 Jet black, sometimes shiny, with dark colored Usually black, but sometimes with metallic green or 2 9 2 9
hairs, moderately hairy, long abdomen. blue abdominal hair bands. Often have yellow or 2 8 2 8 INCH
white markings on face or adomen, profile of body 2 7 INCH 2 7
1 Food Resources often seems flat relative to other bees. They are 2 6 1 2 6
2 5 2 5
Primarily specialists found on Ceanothus, often mistaken for small wasps. 2 4 2 4 2 Nemophila, Ranunculus, though some are 2 generalists. Food Resources 2 3 2 3
Even though they are specialists, they visit many 2 2 2 2 3 2 1 3 2 1
Nests different flowers for nectar. 2 0 2 0
Ground nesters, some species use the same 1 9 1 9 4 area for nesting year after year and form large Nests 1 8 2 0 4 1 8 2 0
Mostly solitary ground nesters, but can sometimes aggregations in these areas. 1 7 1 7
5 be communal. 1 6 5 1 6
1 5 1 5
Fun Fact Fun Fact 1 4 1 4 6 Males will patrol the nest area looking for new 6 nigrihirtus One unique aspect of nests are that the females do 1 3 1 3
females to emerge. They can get so excited that not line their brood cells. Instead, they cover the 1 2 1 2
rhois 7 they will often form a “mating ball” by having 2-5 pollen ball with a glandular secretion. When 1larvae 1 7 1 1 males mob a newly emerging female. The female hatch, they then chew through this protective1 0 1 0
will escape the ball with one male riding on her back. 9 9 8 Size covering to reach the8 pollen. 8 8
5 - 10 mm, or about 7 Size 7
0.2 to 0.4 inches 2 - 9 mm, or about 9 6 9 6
5 1/16 to 3/8 inch 5
4 4 10
3 10 3
2 2
11
CM 1 11 CM 1
greatsunflower.org/perdita greatsunflower.org/panurginus
12 12
North America North in North America North in
worldwide, 19 in in 19 worldwide, worldwide, most most worldwide,
species 47 630 species species 630
(per-DIH-tuh) (Pa-nur-gin-us)
Family Andrenidae Family Family Andrenidae Family
Genus Perdita Genus Genus Panurginus Genus
Bees Miner Panurginus Genus Dianthidium Genus Anthidium Physical Characteristics Physical Characteristics 3 0 3 0 Black or brown, pale white, yellow or ochre patterns on Robust, black, with yellow or white pattern 2 9 2 9
abdomen, cylindrical body shape, spine or tooth on the of stripes that is interrupted in the middle of 2 8 2 8 INCH
tibia of the midleg. Has an arolium between tarsal claws. abdomen, abdomen is broad and somewhat 2 7 2 7 INCH 1 flattened, males larger than females, has no 2 6 2 6 1
Food Resources 2 5 2 5
arolium between tarsal claws. 2 4 2 2 4 Short-tongued, specialize on Asteraceae (plants in 2
2 3 2 3
the Daisy family). Food Resources 2 2 2 2 3 Short-tongued, both generalists and specialists. 2 1 2 1 3
Nests 2 0 2 0
Some construct nests out of pebbles and resin. Nests 1 9 4 1 9
Others nest on top of twigs, or in any available Wool carders nest in a variety of places: old burrows 1 8 2 0 1 8 2 0 4
burrows. Males are very territorial at nest sites. of other insects and bees or key-holes. They line 1 7 1 7
5 their nests with plant material and seal them with 1 6 1 6 5
Fun Fact 1 5 1 5
pebbles, wood, plant material and even lizard dung! 1 4 mormonum 1 4 Collects resin from trees to create waterproof 6 1 3 1 3 6
nests from pebbles allowing bees to lay eggs in both Fun Fact 1 2 1 2 protected and unprotected spaces (like a notch of a pudicum Called Carder bees because females use the hairs 7 1 1 1 1 7 tree branch).
(or “wool”) from plants to line their1 burrows, 0 using Size 1 0
their mandibles to “card” the9 fibers into cell walls. 7.6-20.3 mm, or 9 8 Size 8 8 8
8.5-12.7 mm, or 7 0.3 to 0.8 inches 7
1/5 to ½ inch 9 6 6 9
5 5
4 10 4
3 3 10
2 2 11
1 11
CM CM 1
greatsunflower.org/dianthidium greatsunflower.org/anthidium
12 12
North America North
North America North
in species 24
worldwide, 29 in in 29 worldwide,
worldwide, worldwide,
170 species species 170
species 28
(AN-thid-e-um) (die-AN-thid-e-um)
Family Megachilidae Family Family Megachilidae Family
Genus Anthidium Genus Genus Dianthidium Genus
Bees Carder Bees Mason or Resin Malaysian species with a 2.5” wingspan! Genus includes the largest bee in world – a They have been found nesting in garden hoses. Fun Fact tunnels in wood or pithy stems. nest in abandoned beetle tunnels or preformed mandibles and use pieces to form nest cells. Can Often cut pieces from leaves or flowers with Nests family Asteraceae. Specialize on flowers or plants from the ResourcesFood cutting leaves to build nests. females often have huge mandibles used for abdomen with pale hair bands on the integument, Smoky colored and wide-bodied, flattened Physical Characteristics MegachileGenus
greatsunflower.org/megachile perihirta (meg-uh-KILE-e) Genus Megachile Genus
CM
1 12
Size 10.16-20.3 mm, or apicalis 2 0.4 to 0.8 inches 1500 species North America
worldwide, 139 in worldwide, 3
Family Megachilidae Family Large Leaf-Cutter BeesLarge Leaf-Cutter 11 4
5 but only 250 Osmia females for the same task! 25,000 bees) to pollinate an acre of fruit trees, hives of honey bees (approximately 10,000 to They are very efficient pollinators. It takes two Fun Fact variety of materials to construct nests. paper drinking straws/bamboo). Or collect a and artificial sites (wood blocks with holes, Solitary nesters in pre-existing holes Nests Lotus Prefer Rosaceae, fruit trees, Fabaceae, Mimulus , ResourcesFood wide abdomen blue, or even purple color, with broad head and Stout, round, have metallic sheen, shiny green, Physical Characteristics Osmia Genus
6 , Phacelia species and Aster 10
7
8 9
9 greatsunflower.org/osmia
1 0
8 1 1
1 2 coloradensis
(OZ-me-yuh) 1 3 7 Genus Osmia Genus 1 4
1 5 CM
1
12 1 6 6
Size 5-20.32 mm, or
2 0.2 to 0.8 inches nemoris 1 7 America 350 species worldwide, 135 worldwide, species in North Mason BeesMason 3 1 8 Family Megachilidae Family
or Small Leaf-Cutter
11 4 5 1 9
5 2 0 2 0
6
10 2 1 4
7 2 2
8
2 3
9 9 3 2 4
1 0
2 5 8 1 1
2 6 2
1 2 2 7
1 3
2 8
7 1 4 1 2 9
1 5
3 0
1 6 INCH 6
1 7
1 8 5
1 9
2 0 2 0
2 1 4
2 2
2 3 3 2 4
2 5
2 6 2
2 7
2 8
1 2 9
3 0 INCH summer. Female queens can live up to 5 years! 30,000 bees in winter and 60,000-80,000 become queens. A single hive can house 20,000- Larvae that are fed a special diet of royal jelly Fun Fact lays a single egg in cell. build multi-celled honey combs of wax, Queen walls of buildings and managed hives. Workers below ground such as rock crevices, tree holes, Communal nesters in large cavities above or Nests Used all over the world for a variety of crops. ResourcesFood stripes on their abdomens. dark brown or black to pale gold with darker Moderately hairy, elongated with hairy eyes, Physical Characteristics Genus Apis greatsunflower.org/apis
(A-pus) Genus Apis Genus
CM mellifera
1
Size 12 12-16 mm, or 0.5-0.6 inches
2 7 species worldwide, worldwide, 1 species in North America Honey BeesHoney
Family Apidae Family 3
European or Western Western or European 11 4
5 offspring without mating. are parthenogenic females that can produce Found on all continents except Antarctica! There Fun Fact modify this nest to lay her brood. overwinter as adults in excavated stems and like elderberry, box elder and sumac. Females will Make their own tunnels in wood or pith of plants Nests Are found on a wide variety of plant species ResourcesFood but much smaller and flatter. face below antennae. Closely related to Xylocopa face. Females often have a yellow bar on front of green with yellow or white markings on their Long, shiny, hairless bees, black, dark blue or Physical Characteristics Genus Ceratina
6 10
7
8 9
9 greatsunflower.org/ceratina
1 0 8 1 1
1 2
(sera-TIE-na) 1 3 7
1 4 Genus CeratinaGenus
CM 1 5 acantha
Size 3-10 mm, or
1 0.1-0.4 inches
12 1 6 6
2 1 7 America 351 species worldwide, 21 worldwide,
species in North 3
Family Apidae Family 1 8
Small Bees Carpenter 11 4 5 1 9
5 2 0 2 0
6
10 2 1 4
7 2 2
8
2 3
9 9 3 2 4
1 0
2 5 8 1 1
2 6 2
1 2 2 7
1 3
2 8 7
1 4
1 2 9
1 5 3 0
1 6
6 INCH
1 7
1 8 5
1 9
2 0
2 1 4
2 2
2 3 3 2 4
2 5
2 6 2
2 7
2 8
1 2 9
3 0 INCH Genus Triepeolus Genus Xylocopa Physical Characteristics Physical Characteristics 3 0 3 0 Dark black, medium sized with white or Robust bees, large round head, shiny abdomen, 2 9 2 9
cream markings on thorax and abdomen, hairy thorax with dark wings, black, dark metallic 2 8 2 8 INCH
look armored (which reflects their lifestyles blue, or green in color and males are sometimes 2 7 INCH 2 7
1 golden. 2 6 1 2 6 as nest invaders.) 2 5 2 5
Food Resources 2 4 2 4 2
Food Resources They like larger open flowers and will often rob 2 Visit flowers only to gather nectar, since they 2 3 2 3
flowers of nectar by slicing a hole in the base of a 2 2 2 2
3 are parasitic bees they do not gather pollen. 2 1 3 2 1
flower to suck out the nectar. 2 0 2 0
Nests tabaniformis californica 1 9 1 9 4 Nests 4
Lay eggs in the nest of their host bee species, Make their own tunnels in wood or pith. Bee 1 8 2 0 1 8 2 0
primarily parasitize Long-horned bees like generations can overlap and mothers and 1 7 1 7 5 1 6 5 1 6
Eucera, Melissodes and Peponapis. daughters can share nests. Males will guard the 1 5 1 5
nests and chase away even humans (but do not 1 4 1 4 6 Fun Fact melanarius have stingers so they will not hurt!) 1 3 6 1 3
These bees match their seasons to that of 1 2 1 2
their host bees. They will follow their host bee 7 Fun Fact 1 1 7 1 1 back to the nest and then sneak in once the Some males will use scents to attract1 females0 to Size 1 0
Size other female leaves. their territories. 9 13-30 mm, or 9 8
7-17 mm, or 8 8 0.5-1.2 in 8
0.3-0.7 inches 7 7
9 6 9 6
5 5
4 4 10
3 10 3
2 2
11
CM 1 11 CM 1
greatsunflower.org/xylocopa greatsunflower.org/triepeolus
12 12
America America
108 in North North in 108 32 in North North in 32
worldwide, worldwide,
150 species species 150 species 400
(tri-e-PEE-o-lus) (zile-low-COPE-uh)
Family Apidae Family Family Apidae Family
Genus Triepeolus Genus
Genus Xylocopa Genus
Bees Cuckoo Large Carpenter Bees Carpenter Large
Bumble Bees Family Apidae Genus Bombus (BOMB-bus)
250 species worldwide, 40 species in North America 12
greatsunflower.org/bombus
CM
11 1
2
10 3 4
5
9 6
7
0.4-0.9 in 0.4-0.9
8
8 bumbling. are they like seem them making or mm, 10-23
9
Makes a low buzzing sound, fly in an awkward manner manner awkward an in fly sound, buzzing low a Makes
Size 1 0 0 1
Fun Fact Fun
7 1 1
1 2 1
underground once first workers emerge. workers first once underground
1 3 1
6 stay then spring early the in Queens forage bees.
1 4 1
colonies can be small or rarely hold hundreds of of hundreds hold rarely or small be can colonies 1 5 1
abandoned rodent nests and bunch grasses; grasses; bunch and nests rodent abandoned californicus vosnesenskii
5 6 1
Nest in large cavities above or below ground, like like ground, below or above cavities large in Nest 1 7 1
Nests
4 8 1
1 9 1
2 0 0 0 2 2 cranberries and field beans. field and cranberries
2 1 2
3 raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes,
2 2 2 , , Ceanothus , Eschscholzia love especially
2 3 2
2 they willows, blooming early forage Queens 2 4 2
Food Resources Food
2 5 2
2 6 2
1 locations. across species a within change colors
2 7 2
INCH but patterns, color hair their by distinguished be 2 8 2
can markings.Species or color of bands red or
2 9 2
Very large hairy bees, with yellow, black, orange orange black, yellow, with bees, hairy large Very
3 0 3
Physical Characteristics Physical Genus Bombus Genus