A bee is a flying insect with yellow and black stripes. But did you know there are some very dangerous types of black and white bees?
It’s true. Even though most bees aren’t mean and just want to do their job of pollinating plants, there are some species you should stay away from. You can tell which ones they are by the unique markings on their bodies.
Nature is pretty cool about providing danger signals to plants and animals. For instance, very poisonous frogs can be identified by their “danger” colors, like very bright red or blue. And the same is true with black and white bee identification.
Because these black and white bee species live in different parts of the country and are often mistaken for wasps and hornets of the same color, this guide can help you figure out which bees are harmful and which are helpful.
This full guide describes the different kinds of black and white bees, such as hornets and wasps, as well as their unique traits and behaviors.
Bees with black and white striped bodies stand out among the more typical black and yellow bees commonly seen buzzing from flower to flower. While less common, a number of black and white bee species can be found across North America.
Understanding the key characteristics and behaviors of these bees can help you identify the different types you may spot in your garden, yard, or in the wild.
Distinctive Traits of Black and White Bees
Black and white bees exhibit some standard features that set them apart:
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Color pattern Instead of yellow, white stripes, bands, or tufts of hair contrast against the black bodies
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Fuzzy bodies Many black and white bees appear fluffy due to dense hair covering their heads, thorax, and abdomens
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Long antennae: Some species have very long antennae extending well beyond the head.
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Slender bodies: They tend to have slimmer, more elongated bodies compared to bumblebees.
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Solitary lifestyle: Most black and white bees are solitary rather than living in large social colonies.
Once you know what physical and behavioral clues to look for, identifying black and white bees is straightforward
Common Black and White Bee Species
Here are some of the most widespread and recognizable black and white bees found in North America:
Cuckoo Bees
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California Digger-Cuckoo Bee: Plump, fuzzy bees with white bands across the black abdomen. Known cuckoo/kleptoparasitic species.
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Slender-faced Masked Bee: Slender bees with white and yellow bands on a black background. Males have exceptionally long antennae.
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Verbesina Longhorn-Cuckoo: Sparsely hairy, with white bands on the abdomen and thorax. Named for their long antennae. Parasitize other bees.
Mining Bees
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Ashy Mining Bee: Fluffy black bees with broad white bands and communal nests underground. Docile and rarely sting.
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Nason’s Mining Bee: Black with white tufts of hair and rusty brown wings. Gather pollen on their belly hairs.
Leafcutter Bees
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Hoary Leafcutter: Shiny black with yellow/white abdominal hair bands. Collect leaf pieces to line nests.
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Texas Leafcutter: Compact, striped black and white bees who nest in cavities or burrows.
Sweat Bees
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Leathery Sweat Bee: Tiny black bees with white bands. Attracted to perspiration. Found across North America.
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Parallel-striped Sweat Bee: Black with parallel white stripes and red-brown legs. Frequent flowers and gardens.
Long-Horned Bees
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Morning Glory Turret Bee: White head/thorax tufts and abdominal bands. Make mud turret nests by burrows.
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Common Longhorn Bee: Black with white bands/yellow patches. Note the exceptionally long antennae.
Take advantage of their unique color patterns and behaviors to identify the black and white bee species buzzing through your neighborhood.
Tips for Attracting Black and White Bees to Your Garden
You can draw more black and white bees to your yard by landscaping with their favorite flowering plants:
- Asters
- Milkweed
- Cacti
- Sunflowers
- Lavender
- Culver’s root
- Hyssop
- Catnip
Also, leave some areas of bare soil and undisturbed leaves/brush for nesting sites. Avoid pesticides that could harm bee populations.
Get involved in local initiatives to provide habitat for native solitary bees. Even small gardens can make a difference by providing food and shelter for vulnerable pollinator species.
Fun Facts About Black and White Bees
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Most are solitary, but some nest communally underground.
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Expert “flower hoppers”, able to visit many plants in quick succession.
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Rarely aggressive, but males may fight over flower territory for mating.
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White hair on belly helps carry pollen from flowers back to nests.
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Prefer nesting in burrows but will also use cavities in wood or masonry.
Learn to love the black and white bees visiting your garden and reward them with healthy, pesticide-free habitat! Their diverse species each play a role in plant pollination.
White-Banded Digger Bee (Amegilla quadrifasciata)
Other black and white bee species have fur on their bodies, but the white banded bee has clear white stripes across its body and a black abdomen.
Only the head and thorax have yellowish hairs, while the legs are also black and white.
It is common in many European countries, especially in farmlands and forests, where it feeds on the nectar of flowering plants like legumes. Other bees like to live in groups, but this one likes to live alone. As you might guess from its name, it is good at digging tunnels.
These bees also lay their eggs in caves and store nectar to feed their newly hatched young. This means they are ground nesting bees.
What Are the Various Black and White Bee Types?
Several black and white bees buzz around the country, from honey makers to kleptoparasitic species. The color combination is pretty unusual in a world where most of them are black with yellow stripes.
These bees with white marking are unique and sometimes look similar to each other with slight differences. There are some with whitish hair on their bodies and others with brighter black and white stripes, especially on the stomach.
Others have white patches on the head, antennae, and legs. The Ashy Mining Bee, the White-Banded Digger Bee, the White-Tailed Bumblebee, and the Bellflower Resin Bee are some of the most well-known black and white bee species.
Bald Face Hornet, Dolichovespula maculata, DON”T mess with them here’s why
FAQ
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