Our planet is home to over 20,000 different types of bees. Of course, there’s the classic honey bee and bumble bee, both vital pollinators. But how many more can you name? Keep reading to discover 10 lesser-known and absolutely fascinating bee species that contribute to the rich diversity of our ecosystems.
1. THE MASON BEE
Even if you haven’t heard of the mason bee, you’ve likely had one buzzing in your backyard. These solitary bees are native bees to North America and are among the most common wild bees. They are also the ones most likely to nest in your wild bee home or other artificial hives, especially if there’s a suitable nest site nearby.
Mason bees are considered important pollinators, just one can do the pollination work of over 100 honey bees! That’s because they collect pollen using a technique that involves “belly flopping” onto flowering plants, allowing pollen to cling to the bee’s body, particularly the hind legs and abdomen hairs.
2. THE VULTURE BEE
Native to South America and Central America, the vulture bee is one of the most unusual types of bees, known for its bizarre diet: rotting meat. Unlike most bees, they don’t rely on flowering plants. Instead, they metabolize carrion and create a protein-rich honey. They’re part of a group of stingless bees, and although they don’t sting, they can still bite using strong mandibles.
These bees are often confused with wasps due to their diet, highlighting how wasps, bees, and other insects have evolved uniquely over time.
3. THE SQUASH BEE
The squash bee is native to Central and South America, but now you’ll find them wherever squash flowers bloom. These native bees are specialists that forage early in the morning, right when the squash blossoms open. They nest underground near the plants, keeping their commute short and sweet.
Male squash bees are sometimes caught snoozing inside closed flowers. If the bloom closes while they nap, the male bees must chew their way out, a charming insight into how bees evolved to match the habits of their favorite food plants.
4. THE PANTALOON BEE
Found from the UK to China, the pantaloon bee is one of the most fashion-forward bee species. Named for the thick pollen-collecting hairs on their hind legs, these hairy bees are true standouts among solitary bees.
Though they’re solitary, they tend to group their own nests in colonies along sandy riverbanks. In Russia, millions of pantaloon bee nests have been found along the Barysh River, a stunning display of coordinated independence.
5. THE GIANT ASIAN HONEY BEE
The giant Asian honey bee (a wild cousin of Apis mellifera, the Western honey bee) lives up to its name. Almost twice the size of regular honey bees, they are also more defensive. They’re among the most formidable creatures in Southeast Asia.
These bees migrate seasonally, building their combs in tree branches or tree cavities, and even on cliff faces. Unlike most bees, they sometimes forage at night, guided by the moonlight. Their aggressive nature makes them less suited for honey production, but they play an essential role in local bee populations.
6. THE BLUE CARPENTER BEE
Of all carpenter bees, the blue carpenter bee might be the most visually striking. Females display a dazzling blue sheen, while male bees are greenish or brown. Like other carpenter bees, they nest in wood, often preferring to reuse pre-existing holes over drilling new ones.
This species is a great example of how female bees select suitable nest sites based on availability, making them fascinating to observe in urban gardens or among native plants.
7. THE BUTTERCUP BLOOD BEE
The buttercup blood bee is a striking cuckoo bee, a kind of parasite in the bee world. Instead of building her own nest, the female bee invades the nest of a host bee, kills the developing female eggs, and lays eggs of her own.
These cuckoo bees are known for their dramatic nesting behaviour and for their bright red abdomens, which make them easy to spot among garden plants and native plants alike.
8. THE TEDDY BEAR BEE
The teddy bear bee, from the genus Amegilla, is found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. It’s a generalist pollinator, visiting a variety of flowering plants, though it seems to have a soft spot for pink and purple blooms.
Female bees nest in the ground, while male bees rest in “sleeping clusters” on stems, often clinging with just their jaws. Watching them is a reminder of how bee families exhibit complex behaviors, even outside traditional hives.
9. THE PURE GREEN SWEAT BEE
Native to Eastern Canada and the United States, the pure green sweat bee is one of the most eye-catching sweat bees out there. Named for their attraction to human perspiration, these solitary bees are fiercely territorial.
A female bee will lay eggs and guard her brood carefully, sometimes even evicting her young bees once they hatch. These native bees are also efficient pollinators of a wide range of native plants.
10. THE SPRING BEAUTY MINING BEE
As its name suggests, the spring beauty mining bee specializes in pollinating the Virginia spring beauty, a wildflower that blooms in early spring. These mining bees are solitary bees that nest underground, often close to where bees forage.
They work short hours, from mid-morning to early afternoon, and then return to their own nest, sealing themselves inside with their developing brood.
Why learning about bees matters
Understanding the diversity among bee species, from masked bees to leafcutter bees, and from plasterer bees to sugarbag bees, is crucial in the face of environmental threats like colony collapse disorder. While many focus on honey bees, it’s the lesser-known native bees and solitary bees that perform the bulk of pollination for our food plants and garden plants.
By supporting bee populations through planting native plants, avoiding pesticides, and providing suitable nest sites, we help protect not only the queen bee, worker bees, and other bees, but entire ecosystems.
