"Bumble bees are superstar pollinators, due to their largish size, lots of hairs and adaptability to collect pollen from many different plants,
Carpenter bees — sometimes called the gentle giants or teddy bears of bees — resemble bumble bees, but with smooth, glossy backs.
More bees with teeth! Female leafcutters use their chompers (mandibles) to cut plant leaves to line their nests.
Because mason bees are solitary and don't make honey — and thus don't have to worry about protecting queens and their sweet, sticky stash — they tend to be more laid-back than their hive-dwelling cousins.
quash pollen is bitter, and few insects can digest it. This is great news for squash bees! These persnickety buzzers forage exclusively on squash and gourd plants (Cucurbits).
Dazzling bees saddled with a gross name, sweat bees come in a variety of beautiful colors.
"Long-horned bees are very distinctive due to the males' extraordinarily long antenna," says Shepherd. "Males can also be found sleeping in flowers."