There is no arguing the fact that bees are beneficial insects. They pollinate flowering plants by transferring pollen from one flower to another. Most of us know that this is important for plant reproduction and food production. Did you know that pollinators are responsible for 1 out of every 3 bites of food you take! While the honey bee gets most of the credit for providing pollination, there are actually about 500 bee species in in the United States

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This page provides key features needed to identify 10 types of bees found in home landscapes. The following information is included:

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How to Identify Bees

All bees have three body segments, a head, thorax and abdomen. The head is where large multi-faceted eyes, long slender antennae, and cutting mouthparts are found. The thorax is the middle segment where the wings and legs attach. Last is the abdomen, which for female bees ends in a sting. Special pollen-carrying hairs unique to female bees resemble dense broom bristles, and are commonly found on the rear legs or the underside of the abdomen. Some carry pollen in an almost hairless, flattened pollen basket on the rear legs.

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Honey bee (Apis mellifera) 12–15mm

Light to dark brown body with pale and dark hairs in bands on abdomen. Pollen basket present. Abdomen barrel-shaped. Head heart-shaped.

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Leaf cutting bee (Megachile spp.) 7–15mm

Black body with light or dark hairs. Pollen-carrying hairs beneath abdomen. Some have rather pointy abdomens. Head is as broad as the thorax with large mouthparts used to cut leaves.

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Bumble bee (Bombus spp.) 8–21mm

Black body, extensively covered with black and yellow hairs on all body segments. Pollen basket present. Robust body. Long face.

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Sweat bee (Halictidae spp.) 3.5–11mm

Two forms: (1) bright metallic green or (2) black/brown with light bands of hair on the abdomen. Pollen-carrying hairs on rear legs. Slender body.

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Large Carpenter bee (Xylocopa spp.) 15–23mm

Black body with light or dark hairs. Pollen-carrying hairs on rear legs. Similar body shape to bumble bee, but abdomen shiny and mostly lacking hair. Round face.

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Mason bee (Osmia spp.) 7–16mm

Two forms: (1) black body covered in pale hairs or (2) dull metallic green-blue and less hairy. Pollen-carrying hairs beneath abdomen. Head as broad as thorax, robust body.

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Squash bee (Peponapis pruinosa) 11–14mm

Brown body covered in dense light hair on the thorax and in bands on abdomen. Pollen-carrying hairs on rear legs. Long antennae. Appear to have protruding "nose."

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Small carpenter bee (Ceratina spp.) 5–8mm

Dark blue-green and shiny, appearing hairless on all body segments. Pollen-carrying hairs on rear legs. Slender with shield-shaped abdomen.

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Mining bee (Andrena spp.) 5.5–15mm

Black with light or dark hairs. Slender. Pollen-carrying hairs on rear legs and side of thorax, appearing to carry pollen in its "armpit."

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Long horned bee (Melissodes spp.) 8–16mm

Black body covered in dense pale or dark hairs. Pollen-carrying hairs on rear legs may be very long. Stout-bodied. Males have extremely long antennae.

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If you are dealing with bees inside your home you can learn more about bee pest control