Bees
Hymenoptera
BENEFICIAL
Of the 20,000 bee species worldwide, all pollinate flowers as they collect pollen and nectar. Most species are non-aggressive, stinging only in defense.
A typical honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony contains 40,000 bees, including one fertilized queen, workers (sterile females), and a few drones (males). Most are about 5/8 inch long, black or brown with yellow to yellow orange rings on the abdomen.
The bumble bee (Bombus sp.) is large (3/4 inch) with banded black and yellow or orangish hair patterns on the top of their abdomen. Colonies of up to 2,000 may nest in dry grass clumps, abandoned rodent burrows or manmade structures.
The solitary carpenter bee (Xylocopa sp.) resembles the bumble bee, but is larger (3/4 to 1inch). Its abdomen is most often hairless and shiny black. The female bores perfectly round 3/8 inch wide, 6-8 inch long nesting tunnels into unfinished wood structures (look for sawdust). Damage to structures is usually minimal.
The solitary leaf cutter bee (Megachile sp.) is about 5/8 inch long and resembles the honey bee. Females cut circular pieces from leaves and stack them to construct walls and partitions for egg cells. Nests are found deep within hollow twigs, natural cavities, holes in buildings, and occasionally in the ground. While damage to plants is unattractive, it is not usually harmful.
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