Bees are one of the most important insects on our planet. They are some of the best pollinators in the world, which makes them very important for food production, biodiversity, and plant reproduction. In short, without bees, we’d all be in a sticky situation. That being said, what kinds of bees are good, and which ones give the most painful stings?
There are many kinds of bees in North Carolina, and each one has its own personality and ways of acting. Being able to recognize them can help us all understand the important work they do for our world. It can also help us avoid or deal with a sting: To learn more about the different kinds of bees that live in North Carolina, from their stingers to their wings, read on.
If you have bees on your property in North Carolina, contact the exterminators at A-1 Pest Control. We offer home pest control services and plans that can help you get rid of stinging insects and better control different kinds of bees!
As a longtime resident of North Carolina, I’ve always enjoyed the variety of bees that visit my flower gardens each year. From fat, fuzzy bumblebees to iridescent green sweat bees, our state is home to over 500 bee species.
In this article, I’ll highlight some of the most common bees in North Carolina and provide tips on identifying them. Understanding the diversity of bees in our state enables us to better support these important pollinators.
Benefits of Native Bee Biodiversity
There are over 4,000 species of native bees in North America. Protecting this bee biodiversity has many advantages:
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Different bees pollinate different plants. More bee diversity means more plants get pollinated
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Each bee species is active at different times Diverse bees ensure continual pollination from early spring to late fall
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Some bees are more efficient than others for certain crops. Specialist bees boost yields.
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If one species declines, others can fill the gap. Biodiversity makes ecosystems more resilient.
Major Bee Families in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to species from all seven bee families found in North America:
Andrenidae – Mining Bees
Mining bees nest underground and are important spring pollinators. They are hairy with blunt abdomens.
Apidae – Honey, Bumble, Carpenter, Orchid and Digger Bees
This family includes the familiar honey bee. They have robust, hairy bodies and pollen baskets on hind legs.
Colletidae – Plasterer and Yellow-Faced Bees
Slender, smooth bees that line nests with waterproof secretions. Often have yellow mask-like facial markings.
Halictidae – Sweat Bees
Named for their attraction to perspiration. Small, hairless bees that nest underground. Often metallic green or blue.
Megachilidae – Leafcutter, Mason, and Carder Bees
Use leaves, mud, or plant hairs to build nests. Large, blunt abdomens and strong jaws for collecting materials.
Melittidae – Melittid Bees
Solitary, ground-nesting bees associated with specific flowers. Exclusive oil-collecting behavior.
Andrenidae – Mining Bees
Mining bees nest underground and are important spring pollinators. They are hairy with blunt abdomens.
Common Bee Species in North Carolina
Here are some bees you’re likely to spot buzzing around North Carolina:
Honey Bee
The non-native honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the state insect of North Carolina. They are key pollinators for many crops.
Eastern Bumble Bee
Large and fuzzy, the eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) has two yellow bands on its black abdomen.
Blue Orchard Bee
A native solitary bee, the blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) is an excellent pollinator for spring orchard crops.
Eastern Carpenter Bee
The eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica) is solid black with a shiny purple-black abdomen. Males have a yellow face.
Common Eastern Firefly
Tiny and hairless, the sweat bee (Augochlorella aurata) is metallic green. Males have yellow spots on faces.
Leafcutter Bee
Black and fuzzy, the alfalfa leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata) carries pollen on its abdomen hairs.
Providing Habitat for Bees
Here are some ways to make your yard bee-friendly and support North Carolina’s native bees:
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Plant a diversity of native flowering plants that bloom from spring through fall.
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Leave some areas of soil undisturbed for ground-nesting mining and sweat bees.
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Put out nest boxes made from untreated wood for tunnel-nesting bees.
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Construct a simple bee watering station.
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Avoid pesticides that could be harmful to foraging bees.
Part of respecting nature is appreciating the variety of life it contains. Getting acquainted with North Carolina’s native bee species provides an opportunity to learn from these pollinators and ensure they continue to enrich our environment for generations to come.
Watch for Allergic Reactions
Keep a close eye for signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, rapid heartbeat, or a drop in blood pressure. Seek emergency medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
It is important to carry an EpiPen and know how to use it if you are severely allergic to bee stings. Administer the injection if severe symptoms arise and seek emergency medical help. Your friends and family who may be with you when the sting happens should also know how to use the pen, just in case you can’t give the injection yourself.
Don’t scratch the sting site; it can make it worse, cause an infection, and take longer to heal. Keep the wound clean and dry while it heals, and use an antibiotic cream every day to help avoid getting an infection.
Keep an eye on the sting site for any signs of infection, like redness that gets worse, swelling, or pus. If these symptoms occur, consult with a healthcare professional.
Types of Bees in North Carolina: Honey Bees
Honey bees possess distinctive features that set them apart among the swarms. Their bodies are usually golden-brown in color, with darker bands around their abdomen. Honey bees are about 0.5 to 3 1/4 inches long, and adult worker bees have special parts of their bodies, like pollen baskets on their hind legs and a tongue, also called a proboscis, for drinking nectar. The queen and female worker bees have barbed stingers, which are a strong way to defend themselves. When they use them, the stinger often stays in the skin.
Honey bees are social insects organized into colonies. These colonies are made up of a single queen, male drones, and numerous female worker bees. The hive functions as a highly structured society where each member has specific roles. Worker bees engage in complex communication, employing dances like the “waggle dance” to convey information about food sources. Foraging is a crucial task for workers, involving the collection of nectar, pollen, and water. When threatened, honey bees exhibit defensive behavior, stinging to protect the hive.
Honey bees construct intricate hives, often in sheltered locations like tree hollows, crevices in rocks, or man-made structures. The hive, which is made from beeswax made by glands on the bees’ bellies, is the colony’s nerve center. Swarming is a natural process that can happen in the spring or early summer. A new queen and some worker bees start a new colony. In addition to their natural habitats, honey bees are kept as pets by beekeepers, who take care of managed hives where they make honey, provide pollination services, and make other products related to bees. These hives may be strategically placed in orchards, fields, or gardens to maximize their impact.
16 Types of Bees
FAQ
How do I identify my bees?
What are the big yellow bees in NC?
How do you tell the difference between a bumble bee and a carpenter bee?
How many long horned bees are there in North Carolina?
There are up to 30 species of Long-Horned Bees in North Carolina! This bee group nests in holes dug by females, typically under shrubbery. The nests are branched, with tiny “rooms” at the end of each branch where a single bee will overwinter. Long-horned bees are solitary for much of their life.
Where can I buy a book about bees in North Carolina?
After peer review and some design tweaks from the NC Cooperative Extension system, we’re happy to announce that the book is now available for purchase from UNC press, or for download as a free pdf. Get to know your bees! Levenson, H. K., and E. Youngsteadt. 2020. The Bees of North Carolina: An Identification Guide (AG-858).
What is a small carpenter bee in North Carolina?
Small Carpenter Bees are unlike any other type of bee in North Carolina! Small Carpenter Bees are black with a green or blue cast and prefer to nest in hollowed-out stems of plants like raspberry or sumac bushes. These species are even more unusual than their larger relatives!
What does a bumblebee look like in North Carolina?
Fuzzy hair is colored with black and yellow stripes. Large and round-bodied with a pointed head. Bumblebees are the most recognizable bees in North Carolina! Although they don’t produce honey, they’re essential pollinators for fruit and vegetable crops. They feed on the nectar of flowering plants and collect pollen to feed their young.
Are there worker mason bees in North Carolina?
There are no worker Mason Bees. Interestingly, Mason Bees are considered the most docile bee in North Carolina! Farmers and other professionals regularly handle Mason Bees without being stung. They’re often kept on large farms to help with the growing process because they’re highly efficient pollinators.
What do cuckoo bees look like in North Carolina?
Their bodies are elongated, coming to a sharp point at the stinger. Cuckoo Bees are the most wasp-like of all bee groups in North Carolina! Their coloring varies so widely that it’s hard to tell what type of insect you’re looking at without careful observation. Some are black and white striped, while others are mainly black with red bands.