Bees
"The hum of bees is the voice of the garden."
- Elizabeth Lawrence
- Elizabeth Lawrence
introduction
Bees are insects with wings that are closely related to ants and wasps. They are widely known for their roles in pollinating both crop and garden plants. Some species produce honey that is consumed by humans. Some bees live socially in colonies, while others are independent (commonly called solitary). These insects are found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica.
Between and above the eyes are a pair of antennae, usually with 13 segments in males and 12 segments in females. These anntenae have an elbow joint part way along, allowing for the antennae to bend. These house large numbers of sense organs that can detect touch, smell, and taste. Antennae are covered in hair-like receptors that can detect air movement and vibrations, allowing bees to 'hear' sounds. Bees have both mandibles and a long proboscis that allows them to suck up nectar. A bee's thorax has three segments, each with a pair of legs. Front legs of some bees bear combs for cleaning antennae, and hind legs commonly hold pollen baskets (flat sections with incurving hairs to secure pollen grains). The hind-most section of most bee species is modified into a stinger.
Bee Behavior
Bees can either be solitary or live in various types of communities. Bees which live in colonies are considered to be eusocial. Eusociality is the highest level of organization in a society. Eusociality is characterized by three main criteria: division of labor, overlapping generations within the same community, and cooperative care of young. These communities include both reproductive and non-reproductive adult insects which cooperate to raise young. There is a division of labor within bee colonies in which specialized groups called castes are created.
Bee Families, Genera, and species
There are about 20,000 species of bees, and they are found in every habitat on the planet except for in Antarctica. Of the around 4,000 species of bees found in the United States, 1,600 have been recorded in California. In most of western North America, the bee that gets the most attention is the Western Honeybee, or Apis mellifera (which is actually not a native bee) though you may see any of the below species of bee in your garden. The list of species below is organized by group; read on for more information about these little garden helpers. If you are in another area (not in California), make sure to do some research on which bees can be found in your area.
Andrenidae
The Mining Bee, or Andrena angustitarsata, is the bee most commonly found in California gardens in this family. These bees prefer pollen from flowers in the Apiaceae family, and frequently visit Dill, Anise, Cumin, Fennel, Parsnip, and Chervil. These bees are solitary (they don't live in colonies) and create nests in the ground. The genus Adrena has over 1,300 species.
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Apidae (Including Anthophorinae)
This family of bee genera includes many commonly-seen bee species in California. It is the largest family of bees, and includes just under 6,000 species. These bees are social, and form colonies. They are also docile, and although they do have stinging parts, they will not aggressively sting those in their environment; they will only use this defense if provoked. These bees commonly pollinate natural landscapes and crop plants. California has two very different-looking genera from this family: the larger, fuzzy bees in the genus Colletes that also have triangular faces and striped abdomens, and those in the genus Hylaeus that are generally hairless with a yellow mask on their face.
This family of bee genera includes many commonly-seen bee species in California. It is the largest family of bees, and includes just under 6,000 species. These bees are social, and form colonies. They are also docile, and although they do have stinging parts, they will not aggressively sting those in their environment; they will only use this defense if provoked. These bees commonly pollinate natural landscapes and crop plants. California has two very different-looking genera from this family: the larger, fuzzy bees in the genus Colletes that also have triangular faces and striped abdomens, and those in the genus Hylaeus that are generally hairless with a yellow mask on their face.
Colletidae
This family of bees is commonly known as Plasterer Bees, Cellophane Bees, or Polyester Bees. They create nests in the ground, using a polyester substance, and commonly pollinate plants such as sugar maple, redbud, and plum. There is one bee in this group that is commonly found in California gardens, the Masked Bee, or Hylaeus polifolii. |
Halictidae
This family of bees is commonly called Sweat Bees, and includes almost 4,500 species. This is the second-largest family of bees, and although they do sting, it is much less painful than that of a Honeybee. They can be social or solitary, and create their nests underground or in rotting wood. These bees can be metallic or non-metallic, depending on the species, and are called Sweat Bees because they commonly seek out human sweat for its dissolved electrolytes. They are valuable pollinators for a wide variety of flowering plants.
This family of bees is commonly called Sweat Bees, and includes almost 4,500 species. This is the second-largest family of bees, and although they do sting, it is much less painful than that of a Honeybee. They can be social or solitary, and create their nests underground or in rotting wood. These bees can be metallic or non-metallic, depending on the species, and are called Sweat Bees because they commonly seek out human sweat for its dissolved electrolytes. They are valuable pollinators for a wide variety of flowering plants.
Megachilidae
This family of bees primarily includes those that are solitary, and they are commonly known as Mason Bees, Carder Bees, Resin Bees or Leafcutter Bees. Their nests are divided into cells lined with the cut pieces of leaves that they harvest from nearby plants. The nests are built in natural or artificial cavities that are for the most part long and straight.
This family of bees primarily includes those that are solitary, and they are commonly known as Mason Bees, Carder Bees, Resin Bees or Leafcutter Bees. Their nests are divided into cells lined with the cut pieces of leaves that they harvest from nearby plants. The nests are built in natural or artificial cavities that are for the most part long and straight.
The bee life cycle
Bees go through four stages of growth in their lives: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, and their life expectancy varies depending on which type of bee they are in the colony. The average life expectancy of a queen bee is two to three years, and that of a of worker bees is between six weeks and six months (depending on the season during which they are alive). Finally, drones live for around two months, though this varies somewhat depending on the time it takes them to complete mating. The queens begin the life cycle by mating with drones and laying her eggs in the hive. She takes the sperm of about 10-20 drones and stores it within her body, fertilizing eggs as she lays them while she serves as queen of the colony. Queen honeybees can lay up to 3,000 eggs per day on average. The fertilized eggs are laid in cells, and turn into worker or queen bees. Drones are created when a worker bee or the queen lays an egg inside the cell.
bees in the garden
There are many ways to bring bees into your garden and create a great habitat for them. A good first step is to replace part or all of your lawn with flowering plant life. This will provide local bees with food and a habitat, and can also bring in other pollinators. Single flowers are best for bee gardens. Double flower tops, like double impatiens may look showy, but they produce much less nectar and their structure makes it more difficult for bees to access pollen. Skip over highly hybridized plants, as well. Although they may look amazing and have other great benefits, they are also usually bred not to produce seeds, and therefore have very little pollen available for bees. To keep bees alive all through the year, make sure to plant flower varieties that will bloom during different seasons. Bees see white, yellow, blue, purple, and violet flowers best. The following list includes plants native to California that bees love:
Most species of solitary bee can only travel 300 meters, or 984 feet. If they don't have a flower to land on in that distance, they will not have the energy to continue that flight, starve, and perish.
- California Poppy
- California Fuchsia
- Common Yarrow
- California Buckwheat
- Toyon
- Lavender
- Western Redbud
- Blanket Flower
- Baby Blue Eyes
- Tidy Tips
Most species of solitary bee can only travel 300 meters, or 984 feet. If they don't have a flower to land on in that distance, they will not have the energy to continue that flight, starve, and perish.
NECTAR GUIDES - WHAT ARE THEY
A nectar guide includes regions on the flower petals that are visible only to bees, and not to humans; it helps to guide bees to the center of the flower, thus making the pollination process more efficient.
A nectar guide includes regions on the flower petals that are visible only to bees, and not to humans; it helps to guide bees to the center of the flower, thus making the pollination process more efficient.