Tips on Using a Native Bee Collection at a Public Event By Addison DeBoer and Andony Melathopoulos, Oregon State University Extension

Native Bee Displays: Each Oregon Bee Atlas team will get a wooden display box with bees grouped by Family and Genus. These boxes cannot be shipped, so need to be transferred when Rich, Sarah or Andony travel to your community. You will be given a basic complement of bees that you can supplement as you gather your own specimens. The base case will contain specimens from the following groups:

Family: genus Colletidae: Hylaeus Halictidae: Agapostemon, Halictus, Lasioglossum Apidae: Ceratina, Bombus, Nomada, Melissodes, Apis mellifera Megachilidae: Osmia, Stelis, Heriades, Megachile, Anthidium Andrenidae: Andrena Bee look-alikes: flies, wasps

The following manual will provide you with tips on how to use these displays for public tabling events. Activities are broken up into short “attention getters” that are designed to get people interested at high volume events and “longer conversations” if you end up with someone with a lot more interest. Also, included are some natural history notes on all the bees, so you can dive in a little deeper if you have someone who is keen. Attention-getters (10 second conversation): 1. Most bees are like gophers, 70% of all bees live in the ground: • Point to Andrena and the Hallitcitidae as two families that nest almost exclusively underground – these two families make up the bulk of Oregon bees. 2. Hylaeus secrete cellophane-like material to line their nest cells • Point out that bees line their nests to protect their young from the environment, but also from parasites – the pollen ball they collect is a valuable resource. • You can say these bees are very small • Say they are pretty common on goldenrod in late summer • They also nest in hollowed out twigs – you can ask people where they might be nesting in the area where you are tabling at 3. Do you know which one of these bees make honey? • Apis mellifera • You can also say bumble bees also store nectar. • But you can go in to say that only honey bees store nectar long term • Stored nectar (honey) is the reason why honey bees are the only bees that will fly to flowers in mid-winter – unlike the other bees, honey bees don’t hibernate because they have a carbohydrate source for the winter. 4. Did you know that only honey bees die after they sting once? Most other bees and wasps can sting multiple times. • The key message is that bees rarely sting. Most stings come from social wasps. Most solitary bees rarely if ever sting. 5. Have you ever seen a green bee? • Everyone should at least have a metallic sweat bee - Agapostemon , but you might want to also show the darker metallic Osmia. • Point out that metallic sweat bees are quite common and they will see them all year long – encourage them to try and find one this month in their garden.

Longer conversational facts (30 second conversation): 1. Native Bees and Honey Bees a. Do you know how most bees are different from honey bees? Ways most bees differ from honey bees (Apis mellifera): • Most bees do not live in hives but individually and more than 70% live in the ground; • Most bees are not social and do not have hives; • Most bees never meet their young; • Only honey bees make and eat honey—other bees eat nectar and pollen (bumble bees are somewhat inbetween – their “honey” doesn’t get as dry as true honey and is meant for short- term supply) • Honey bees can only sting once • Honey bees dance to communicate the location of flowers to other bees, called the “waggle dance”

2. Natural history a. Bees that live underground: Agapostemon, Halictus, Lasioglossum, Melissodes, Andrena b. Bees that are social and have a division of labor: Apis mellifera, Bombus, some Halictidae c. Bees that live above-ground in abandoned beetle burrows in wood or hollow stems : Osmia, Heriades, Anthidium, Megachile d. Cuckoo bees: Stelis sneak into Osmia nests and take over; Nomada are a kleptoparasite of Andrena e. Nest in pithy wood or twigs: Ceratina, Hylaeus

3. What are the differences between bees, wasps, and flies? a. How are flies different than bees? • Usually flies only have two wings, while bees have four. • Flies have shorter antennae and bigger eyes and don’t have thick tufts of stiff hairs on legs or bellies. • Bees have longer antennae that are widely spaced. b. How can you tell if something is a bee or a wasp? • Wasps will get some of their protein from eating other insects or rotting meat, while bees get all their protein from pollen (bees are vegetarian wasps). • Bees are usually hairier • No bees have skinny-waists like some wasps • The hind legs of wasps are typically slender and dangle when they fly. • Social wasp wings (e.g., hornets and yellowjackest) run parallel to their sides rather than overlapping on their back when they are closed.

4. What bees are you likely to see this month? a. Bees that are likely active in Oregon: b. January-February: Apis mellifera – they are the only bee you see year round c. March: Bombus, Ceratina d. April: Osmia, Andrena, Ceratina, Lasioglossum e. May: Osmia, Ceratina, Eucera, Hylaeus, Halictus, Lasioglossum, Megachile, Bombus, Apis mellifera, Agapostemon, Anthidium, Andrena, f. June: Ceratina, Hylaeus, Halictus, Lasioglossum, Megachile, Bombus, Apis mellifera, Agapostemon, Anthidium, Andrena g. July: Ceratina, Halictus, Lasioglossum, Megachile, Bombus, Apis mellifera, Agapostemon, Heriades h. August: Apis mellifera, Ceratina, Megachile, Heriades, Melissodes, Lasioglossum i. September: Apis mellifera, Ceratina, Lasioglossum, Melissodes

Genus March April May June July August September Andrena X X X

Anthidium X X Hylaeus X X Colletes X X X Agapostemon X X X Halictus X X X Lasioglossum X X X X X X Osmia X X Heriades X X Anthidium X X X Megachile X X X X Ceratina X X X X X X X Melissodes X X Bombus X X X X X Apis mellifera X X X X X X X

5. Great Bee Plants (Illustrated): a. California Lilac (Ceanothus spp.) attracts Halictids, Andrenids, Hylaeus, Osmia b. Phacelia (Phacelia spp.) attracts Ceratina, Xylocopa, Osmia, Andrenid c. Common Sunflower (Helianthus annus) attracts Agapostemon, Melissodes, Halictids, Megachilids, and other native bees d. Bigleaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) attracts bumble bees and other native pollinators e. To attract many bees, plant many types of plants, especially native ones and avoid using pesticides as often as you can f. Other Plants that Attract Pollinators: • Cosmos (Cosmos) • Willows (Salix spp.) • Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) • Sage (Salvia)

Families (for longer conversations):

1. Andrenidae: mining bees, nest in ground with aggregations or communally a. Largest of the bee families, all nest in the ground, line their nests with wat erproof substance to protect offspring from moisture and bacteria; one s pecies survived under water in seasonal lake bed b. Some solitary, some aggregate, some nest communally and form individual tunnels c. Andrenidae has large range in sizes, this family includes Perdita which can be less than 0.1 inches d. Andrena • Important for success of commercial crops including blueberries, cranberries, and apples • Some Andrena generalists, some specialize in sunflowers, trees like maples (Acer) or willows (Salix) • 0.30 inches – 0.60 inches, small to medium bees • One of the earliest bees to emerge in the Spring, season lasts roughly from April to June • About 550 species in US

2. Colletidae: a. All Colletidae are solitary nesters, no sociality, but some form nest aggregations b. Hylaeus • Nest in twigs and hollow stems, secrete chemicals from base of mandibles to help prevent spread of bacteria and fungi in nest; chemicals smell like citrus; cellophane-like material • Look bald, not very hairy • Only native bee genus in Hawaii • All are generalists, eat and regurgitate pollen and nectar, do not carry externally • Mostly active May – June • 0.20 – 0.30 inches, small bees • About 20 species in Northwest c. Colletes • Nest in ground, line tunnels with cellophane-like lining, can form nest aggregations • Many are plant specialists and specialize in plant families like Fabaceae or Asteraceae • Mostly active May – July • 0.20 – 0.80 inches, mostly medium to large size bees • About 21 species in Northwest

3. Halictidae: a. Differing social behaviors between genus, but nest almost exclusively in the ground with interconnecting tunnels b. Agapostemon: • Bright metallic green sweat bee • Not attracted to human sweat, but closely related to sweat bees (Halictus and Lasioglossum) • Nest in ground, usually solitary and not often in aggregations • All generalists, frequently seen on sunflower family, Asteraceae • Mostly active May – July • 0.30 – 0.60 inches • About 5 species in Northwest 1. Agapostemon spp. • All Agapostemon males are black and yellow striped. • Most females are all green 2. Agapostemon virescens • Only female in Oregon black with gray striped abdomen. c. Halictus: • Sweat bees, similar to Lasioglossum • Can be solitary or social depending on the environment; colonies up to 200 females; all females can take over the role of queen if she dies, more unpredictable weather results in more communal behavior • Nest in ground • All are generalists • Mostly active from May – July • Medium-sized bees, 0.30 – 0.50 inches • About 50 species in Northwest 1. Halictus ligatus (very common) 2. Halictus farinosus (very common)

d. Lasioglossum: • Largest bee genus • Called “sweat bees” because they seek out sweltering humans and lick it off them. Nobody knows for sure why, but sweat is high in salt, which they may need. • Nest in ground, a few species nest in rotting wood, diversity of social behaviors • Most generalists • Long range, from early spring to fall, mostly active May – June, but can be seen March -- September • Very small, ranging from less than 0.10 inch to 0.50 inches • Roughly 70 species in the US and Canada

4. Megachilidae: a. Carry pollen on underside of abdomen rather than legs, squatter, above- ground, all solitary b. Osmia: Mason Bees or small leaf-cutter bees • Osmia includes some of the best pollinators of orchard fruit, Osmia lignaria • Metallic green, blue, or black • Some species build nests entirely from mud, but some are opportunistic nesters, will occupy artificial nest sites, including nesting in boxes or holes that they plug with mud, form cocoons • Many are generalists, favor plants that are tube-shaped or asymmetrical • Active mostly April – May • 0.10 – 0.60 inches • About 75 species in Northwest c. Stelis • Stelis are parasites, parasitize mostly in the family Megachilidae. They sneak into nests still being filled with pollen and lay an egg that hatches and kills the host larva or egg • Active when their hosts are • 0.20 – 0.70 inches • About 18 species in Northwest

d. Heriades: • Heriades means “wool” • Nest in small holes made by other insects in wood or pine cones, use resin to make partitions between cells • All generalists • Mostly active July and August • Small bees, 0.10 – 0.30 inches • About 3 species in Northwest

e. Anthidium: “wool carder bees” • Take over old tunnels – make a “wool” nest by stripping the fuzzy part off leaves • Some species generalists, dietary preferences of most are unknown • Most species active May – July • Larger bees, 0.30 – 0.90 inches • About 15 species in Northwest • Anthidium manicatum 1. Males protect floral patches and will chase away other males and bees of other species 2. While most other Anthidium are earlier in the season, Anthidium manicatum are found in late summer f. Megachile: • Some Megachile used to fertilize crops • Nest in wood and preexisting cavities • Most are generalists, but some are specialists • Active May – August • Lots of variety in size, 0.30 – 1 inch • About 40 species in Northwest • Megachile rotundata • “Alfalfa leafcutter bees,” commercial bees; essential to seed production for alfalfa • Alfalfa’s flower has a “trap” that honey bees avoid, but leafcutter bees do not, so they pollinate alfalfa, while honey bees just take the nectar

5. Apidae: a. All Apidae have long tongues, most are very hairy; most-recognized bee family b. Ceratina • Several species are “parthenogenetic”: females can produce male and female eggs without mating, instead of just male eggs like many other bees • Metallic, males of some species have a white face • Nest in old wood and twigs • Almost all are generalists • Active mostly May – July, but can be seen March – September • Small to medium, less than 0.10 – 0.60 inches • Estimated 5 species in Northwest c. Melissodes: • Long-horned bees • Solitary ground nesters • Prefers plants in the sunflower family • Found mostly in late summer and fall, especially August and September • Medium to large bees, 0.30 – 1 inch • About 40 species in Northwest d. Bombus • Bumble bees don’t make honey because they do not dehydrate the stored nectar, but use it to feed the young. Bumble bee hives are new every year, so they don’t store nectar throughout the winter, like honey bees. • More efficient pollinators for many crops than Honey Bees because they can buzz pollinate • Eusocial; queens usually only live for a year; smaller colonies than honey bees • Nest in the ground, often in preexisting cavities, piles of wood, or leaf litter, sometimes in building foundations • Generalists, some species have very long tongues that allow them to feed on flowers with tubes like foxglove (Digitalis) • Longest season, adaptations for colder weather, mostly active May – July but queen starts establishing site in spring • Large bees, 0.50 – 1.20 inches • Approx. 250 species of Bombus in the world – Oregon has one of the highest diversity of bumble bees in the US with upwards of 25 species. e. Nomada: • Parasitic bees, kleptoparasite of Andrena, insert their eggs into host cell, then larva destroy other eggs and feed on host larva • Hairless, look more like wasps than bees • 0.10 – 0.60 inch • About 90 species in Northwest f. Apis mellifera (European honey bees): • Commercial bees, not native to North America • Only honey bees die after they sting once • Responsible for a lot of pollination, including almost the entire almond crop in North America; true generalists and will collect pollen or nectar from every flower • Build nests in cavities like hollow trees or rock crevices, nest with a colony, a colony includes queen, worker bees (female) and drone (male) bees, highly organized social structure • True generalists • Active mostly May – July, active on basis of temperature, not season, active between 60 – 105 degrees Fahrenheit, the only bees seen year-round

6. Non-bees: a. Flies • How are flies different than bees? Usually flies only have two wings, while bees have four. Flies have shorter antennae and bigger eyes and don’t have thick tufts of stiff hairs on legs or bellies. b. Wasps • How can you tell if something is a bee or a wasp? Generally: wasps eat meat while bees eat pollen. Bees are usually hairier.

Definitions: Generalists: Will collect pollen and nectar from any flower Specialists: Only go to certain families, genera, or species of flowers Kleptoparasite: bees that sneak into nest of other bees and ley eggs near pollen, when larva hatches, it kills host offspring and eats pollen Sociality: When bees cooperate in making nests and caring for young

Definitions about Social and Solitary Behavior: Aggregations: Solitary bees building nests in the same area, may lessen chances of being attacked by predator or parasite Communal: Solitary bees that share the same nest entrance, like an apartment, often in the ground. Each bee has her own nest cell in the nest. Eusocial: Very social; share nest maintenance and offspring duties, mother bee meets daughters. These are the honey bees, bumble bees, and some kinds of sweat bees. Semi-social: Use the same nest and cooperatively provide for offspring; work is divided so some gather and build for cells, some lay eggs depending on the size of the bee. Solitary: Most bees in North America. These dig their own nest and gather all their own resources. Mother solitary bees die shortly after building nests for eggs.