Bumble bees are large fuzzy bees that can pollinate hundreds of plant species, including crops like blueberries and tomatoes, as well as wildflowers. They live in a small colony with a queen, similar to honey bees. Unlike most insects, bumble bees (and also carpenter bees) can regulate their body temperature. By vibrating their wing muscles to warm themselves up, they are able to be out on colder wetter days when other bees could not.

Carpenter bees are large solitary bees that have a shiny black butt, as opposed to the fuzzy rears of their bumble bee lookalikes. These bees are also capable of buzz pollination and can pollinate a wide range of crops and wildflowers, including eggplants and tomatoes. They store the pollen they collect in holes dug in dry dead wood, so that when their larvae hatch they have plenty to eat.

Mason bees are smaller solitary bees that construct their nests within tunnels in wood, hollow reeds, and other pre-existing tubes. They collect mud to line and seal their nests, earning them their name “mason”. These bees are more efficient pollinators than honey bees; instead of neatly collecting pollen on their legs, mason bees belly flop onto flowers, getting pollen everywhere and making it more likely they will spread it to another flower. These bees are particularly helpful in orchards, and are often used instead of honey bees to pollinate apples and cherries!

Sweat bees are little, shiny, solitary bees that nest in rotting logs. They occasionally land on humans and drink our sweat to lap up important salts and minerals. They only give a mild sting if disturbed. They are important pollinators for a variety of crops and wildflowers, including sunflowers, alfalfa, milkweed, and goldenrods.