Common Bee Types in Minnesota

Minnesota is home to over 500 species of native bees that play a vital role in plant pollination. These busy bees can be found buzzing around fields, prairies, forests, and backyards across the state. While the European honey bee is the most well-known pollinator, native bees have co-evolved with local plants and are often more efficient at pollinating them. Understanding the diversity of Minnesota’s bee species can help us better conserve these important insects.

Bumble Bees

Bumble bees are large fuzzy bees that form small colonies each year. There are over 20 bumble bee species in Minnesota with the common bumble bee and tri-colored bumble bee being the most widespread. Bumble bees are generalist pollinators that visit a wide variety of flowering plants. Their large size allows them to fly in cooler temperatures and perform buzz pollination. Bumble bees nest in cavities like abandoned rodent holes, where the queen starts a colony each spring.

The tri-colored bumble bee¹ (Bombus ternarius) has three color bands of black yellow and white fur. It emerges early in spring and is one of the first bees active on flowers. It nests underground and is common across Minnesota.

Carpenter Bees

There are two main types of carpenter bees in Minnesota – large carpenter bees and small carpenter bees. As their name suggests, these bees drill nesting tunnels into wood, especially untreated lumber and dead trees. The large carpenter bee has a shiny black abdomen and is similar in size to a bumble bee.

Small carpenter bees in the genus Ceratina² are metallic blue-green or dark blue. They nest in broken stems and are valuable native pollinators of flowers, trees, and crops.

Mining Bees

Mining bees belong to the family Andrenidae⁴ and are named for their underground nests. There are over 130 species of mining bees in Minnesota. These solitary bees emerge early in spring to pollinate flowers like willows, apples, and blueberries. They excavate tunnels in bare soil and line them with a waterproof coating. Mining bees transport pollen on the underside of their abdomens instead of their legs like honey bees.

Common mining bees include the digger bee, the early mining bee, and Melissodes bimaculata².

Mason Bees

Mason bees get their name from using mud to divide and seal their nests. Common species in Minnesota include blue orchard bees, Osmia lignaria, and native mason bees in the genus Osmia⁴. These gentle bees do not have stingers and make excellent pollinators of fruit trees and berries.

Mason bees use pre-existing holes for nesting like hollow stems and holes drilled in wood. Orchard owners will install mason bee houses to attract these efficient pollinators.

Leafcutter and Resin Bees

Leafcutter bees and resin bees in the family Megachilidae⁶ carry pollen on hairs under their abdomen. Leafcutter bees cut circular pieces of leaves to build protective nests for their larvae. Resin bees use sticky plant resins to line their nests in hollow stems or holes in wood. Leafcutter and resin bees are important pollinators of wildflowers, gardens, and crops.

Sweat Bees

Sweat bees in the family Halictidae⁷ earned their common name from being attracted to perspiration. They are small to medium-sized bees that nest underground. Sweat bees forage on a wide variety of flowering plants and can be important crop pollinators.

Common sweat bees in Minnesota include species of Augochlorella, Agapostemon, Lasioglossum, and Halictus.

Other Native Bees

Additional wild bees found in Minnesota include plasterer or cellophane bees⁸ (Colletidae), which line their nests with a clear, cellophane-like material. There are also cuckoo bees that lay their eggs in other bee’s nests. Squash bees (Eucera and Peponapis) are specialists pollinators of squash plants and pumpkins.

Providing Habitat for Native Bees

To support Minnesota’s diverse bee species, we can plant native flowering plants, leave dead trees and stems for nesting, and avoid pesticide use when possible. Homeowners can install bee houses to attract pollinators. By understanding bee biology and providing habitat, we can ensure these vital insects continue thriving across the landscapes of Minnesota.