Native and Wild Bee Facts

• There are over 16,000 known species of bees found on every continent except Antarctica. Bees feed on nectar and pollen and are the primary insect pollinator of agricultural plants.
• Loss of plant diversity is the primary cause of native bee decline. 
• Bees can live in many types of habitats, including marshes, sand dunes, wetlands, and grasslands. 
• Bees’ wings beat more than 11,000 times per minute, creating their buzzing sound.
• Honey bees are not native to North America or Australia. European settlers brought them. 

Native bee populations:

• Australia: 1,647
• Canada: 841
• United Kingdom: 274
• United States: 3,594

Pollinating Powerhouses

Pollination by insects is called entomophily.

Honeybees are significant in pollinating several plant species not found in their original habitat. However, they aren’t always the most efficient. For example, if they visit ten different species of flowers, only one-tenth of the pollen they carry may be the correct species. Native and wild bee species sometimes prefer one flower species, making them more effective pollinators. Native bees are responsible for most of the actual pollination that takes place, and that’s why they’re so critical.

While many crops need some sort of insect pollination, bumblebees and native bees are essential for the healthy production of these:

Grains like corn, rice, wheat, and soybeans are wind or self-pollinated. Insect pollination is also not critical for many root vegetables and leafy vegetables. 

Common bees

Mason bees (Osmia)

A tunnel-nesting bee. They typically make their nests in “masonry” products, for example, in gaps between bricks, cracks in stones, or other small, dark spaces. 

Sweat bee (Halictidae)

There are more than 500 species of sweat bee. Some are ground nesters, others make nests in rotten wood. They may be attracted to perspiration, which means you may meet one on a sweaty day. Don’t worry, they rarely sting. 

Carpenter bee (Xylocopa)

This bee typically makes its nest in wood. They are one of the largest species of native bees. 

Plasterer bee (Colletidae)

These nest-proud bees smooth the walls of their cells with secretions from their mouths. The females do this to protect the nest from fungi and rain. You’ll find their nests in soft soil.

Digger bee (Anthophorini)

Digger bees nest in the ground, typically creating small mounds with holes open to the surface.

Bees need places to live, as much as they need food. Listen to our episode on how to provide nesting spaces for bees in your garden.