[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_id=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”3%||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” header_2_font_size=”36px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Order: Hymenoptera Bees<\/span> are <\/span>flying<\/span> insects<\/span> and are<\/span> frequently observed visiting flowers<\/span> throughout<\/span> blooming periods in the spring and summer<\/span>. <\/span>Like all insects, bees<\/span> have <\/span>three<\/span> pairs of legs<\/span>,<\/span> antennae, <\/span>and <\/span>three body segments<\/span> called <\/span>a <\/span>head, thorax and abdomen<\/span>.<\/span> T<\/span>here is highly <\/span>variable<\/span> morphology<\/span> among bee species<\/span>; <\/span>bumble<\/span> bees have<\/span> more<\/span> round<\/span>ed<\/span> and<\/span> robust bodies covered in<\/span> dense patches of<\/span> hair called setae<\/span>, while <\/span>sweat bees<\/span> are<\/span> smaller and slenderer<\/span> with<\/span> fewer<\/span> setae<\/span>.<\/span> B<\/span>ee<\/span> color<\/span>ation<\/span> largely depends on species and<\/span> can <\/span>range from <\/span>shades of<\/span> yellow and black<\/span>,<\/span> to white and black, and even <\/span>a<\/span> lustrous <\/span>green <\/span>or blue<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/golden-northern-bumble-bee.jpg” alt=”golden northern bumble bee” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#F15625″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Golden northern bumble bee (Bombus fervidus<\/em>). <\/em>Bees are important pollinators in agricultural systems. Much of an adult bee\u2019s life is spent foraging for nectar and pollen. The tiny hairs on their body and legs make them very good at picking up and transferring pollen as they visit flowers on different plants. This transfer of pollen from one plant to another is known as cross-pollination and is necessary for viable seed production in many plant species. Image credit: Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/sweat-bee.jpg” alt=”sweat bee” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sweat bee (Agapostemon sp.<\/em>) foraging. Image credit: David Cappaert, Environmental Sciences Magnet School (Hartford CT), Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/dirt-nest.jpg” alt=”dirt wasp nest” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Nest constructed with soil. Image credit: Chelsey Ritner, Exotic Bee ID, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/carpenter-bee.jpg” alt=”carpenter bee” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Carpenter bee in its nest (Xylocopa sp.<\/em>). <\/em>Image credit: David L. Clement, University of Maryland, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/beehive.jpg” alt=”beehive” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A single beehive. Bumble bees, honey bees, and stingless bees form hives with a caste system. Image credit: Gerald Holmes, Strawberry Center, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n All bees undergo complete metamorphosis, and have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Bees use a variety of nesting strategies. Some bees live in solitude, with each female establishing a single nest, while other species establish a communal nest shared among several unrelated females. Honey bees establish a hive with a caste system where all worker bees are the daughters of a single queen. Some bees are parasitic and invade the nest of other species where they steal pollen and honey to nourish their young. Nests can be established using a variety of building materials and locations. Some bees nest by digging in soil, while others establish nests in plant stems or tree hollows.<\/p>\n The number of generations produced each year is species-specific. Bees living in hives produce multiple generations per year, while some solitary bees produce a single generation each year. Pollen specialization varies among bee species as well: females can gather pollen from only a few related species or genera from a single plant family (oligolectic), from plants in a few plant families (mesolectic), or from many different plant families (polylectic).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Insecticide residues pose a major threat to bees. To reduce exposure, apiaries should be placed a minimum of four miles from any crops treated with pesticides. To help alleviate stress on wild bee populations, farmers should adopt sustainable measures when applying pesticides. Important considerations to make include the weather and time of day in which the insecticide is applied, the type of formulation, and pesticide toxicity and longevity.<\/p>\n Spraying on windy days should be avoided as this can cause pesticides to drift from the target area to an apiary or adjacent crops with foraging bees. Since foraging behaviors are restricted to daylight hours, spraying pesticides in the evening can substantially reduce exposure to bees. Pesticides also come in different formulations with different application methods. Some pesticides are sold as dusts and wettable powders; these should be avoided as they will readily adhere to the tiny hairs found on the surface of a bee\u2019s body. When possible, pesticides with lower toxicity that degrade rapidly should be used.<\/p>\n In some instances, bee colonies can recover from pesticide exposure if enough honey and pollen reserves are available to support colony growth. However, pesticide contamination of honey and pollen reserves will prevent the colony from recovering since brood and nurse bees will continue dying. When this situation arises in honey bee hives, the combs should be removed or cleaned by soaking in water for 24 hours. After soaking, combs should be cleaned of any pollen and allowed to dry. Another option is to completely remove the wax comb and replace it with new foundation.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/cuckoo-bee.jpg” alt=”cuckoo bee” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Cuckoo bee (Coelioxys sp.<\/em>). Image credit: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Michigan State University (n.d.).<\/strong> Pollination. Available www.canr.msu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n
Family: Halictidae, <\/span>Colletidae<\/span>, <\/span>Andrenidae<\/span>, <\/span>Melittidae<\/span>, <\/span>Megachilidae<\/span>, Apidae<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDescription<\/h2>\n
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Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
Conservation<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n