Search Results - Field Guide

Showing 1 - 10 of 53 results
Andrenid or miner bee collecting pollen on a flower
Andrenid Bees (Miner Bees)
More than 1,200 species in North America north of Mexico
Andrenid bees, also called mining bees, are solitary ground-nesters. Most are specialist pollinators whose life cycle is timed to correspond precisely to the blooming of specific flowers.
A metallic green sweat bee gathering pollen on a yellow flowerhead
Halictid Bees (Sweat Bees)
More than 500 species in North America north of Mexico
Missouri has many species of halictid bees, or sweat bees. Some are solitary, but a number show different levels of social behavior. They're named for their attraction to perspiration, which offers them precious moisture and salts.
photo of a leafcutter bee
Leafcutter Bees
Megachile spp.
Leafcutter bees are common throughout Missouri from late spring into early autumn. All are solitary. They are dark-colored with several whitish hair bands across the abdomen. One sign of their presence is the rounded holes they cut in the leaves of plants.
Female mason bee collecting pollen on a yellow daisy-family flowerhead
Megachilid Bees
More than 630 species in North America north of Mexico
Megachilid bees are a family of solitary, native bees that carry pollen only on the underside of the abdomen, never on the hind legs. Large cutting mouthparts allow them to collect pieces of leaves, soil, or plant resins to line their nests.
Longhorn bee visiting a flower, viewed from side
Apid Bees
About 1,000 species in North America north of Mexico
Many apid bees are well-known. This family includes the familiar honeybee, bumblebees, and carpenter bees, plus many that are less well-known. With few exceptions, most of Missouri's apid bees are native, solitary species.
Longhorn bee closeup of head showing long antennae and yellow face
Longhorn Bees
More than 200 species of tribe Eucerini (longhorn bees) in North America north of Mexico
Longhorn bees are named for their long antennae, which make these fuzzy, medium-sized bees look rather cute. Many have yellow faces.
Blue orchard bee resting on a dirt surface
Blue Orchard Bee
Osmia lignaria
The blue orchard bee is one of our native mason bees, or megachilids. It is a very important native pollinator of spring-blooming orchard trees, such as apple, pear, and cherry.
Eastern carpenter bee standing on a wooden surface
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
The eastern carpenter bee somewhat resembles a bumblebee but has a noticeably black, shiny abdomen. Carpenter bees are rather solitary and excavate their nests in wood.
Photo of a black and white bee fly perched on a plant stalk
Field Coal Bee Fly
Anthrax georgicus
The field coal bee fly, Anthrax georgicus, has no real common name. Look for it in grasslands, fields, and other open areas.
image of Bee Fly on leaf
Bee Flies
About 800 species in North America
Resembling bees, or sometimes big, fuzzy mosquitoes, bee flies are a family of true flies and are not bees at all. Lacking the ability to sting, their bee mimicry helps them avoid many would-be predators.