Utah is home to a diverse variety of bee species, including several types of black bees Black bees play an important role as pollinators in the state’s ecosystems. Here are some of the most common black bee species found in Utah
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees in the genus Xylocopa are large, robust bees about the size of bumblebees. They can be identified by their shiny black abdomens and bright yellow markings on the thorax. There are two main types of carpenter bees found in Utah – the Eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica) and the California carpenter bee (Xylocopa californica).
Carpenter bees get their name from their nesting habits – they bore holes and tunnels into dead wood logs and wooden structures like decks and fences. The holes they create are perfectly circular and about the width of a dime. Carpenter bees are solitary bees, with each female building her own nest. They do not live in colonies like honey bees.
While carpenter bees can be considered pests when they damage wooden structures, they are important native pollinators of flowers trees and crops. Their long tongues allow them to pollinate plants with deep flowers that other bees cannot reach.
Large Dark Miner Bees
There are around 30 species of mining bees in the genus Andrena found in Utah. The most common is the Large Dark Miner bee (Andrena nivalis), a small black bee under half an inch long.
As their name suggests, mining bees excavate tunnels and chambers in soil to build their nests. The entrance holes to their nests are very small and may have little mounds of excavated soil around them. Mining bees carry pollen on scopal hairs on their hind legs rather than in pollen baskets like honey bees.
Mining bees emerge very early in spring to take advantage of first blooms on fruit trees, dandelions, and early spring wildflowers. They are important pollinators for orchards and gardens.
Dark Sweat Bees
There are around a dozen species of sweat bees in the family Halictidae found in Utah. Most are small, dark gray or black bees less than half an inch long. They get their common name from their attraction to human perspiration – they will often land on people to lap up sweat.
Sweat bees nest in the ground, digging small tunnels. They are solitary but occasionally form loose nesting aggregations. Females collect pollen on their hind legs rather than in corbiculae pollen baskets. Sweat bees are generalist pollinators that visit a wide variety of flowering plants.
Black Carpenter Bees
The Eastern black carpenter bee (Xylocopa micans) is a species related to the more common large carpenter bees. It is all black without the yellow thoracic markings. This species is found in eastern Utah.
Black carpenter bees have the same nesting habits as other carpenter bees, tunneling into wood. They visit a variety of flowers but prefer plants with tubular flowers that can accommodate their long tongues when feeding on nectar. Black carpenter bees are important pollinators of spring wildflowers and fruit tree blossoms.
Masked Bees
There are several species of the matte black, hairless masked bee (Hylaeus species) found in Utah. They have distinctive white facial markings, earning them the common name masked bees. They make nests by tunneling into pithy stems and hollow twigs.
Masked bees carry pollen internally in their crop rather than on their legs. They regurgitate it back at the nest to provision their larvae. Though they look like wasps, masked bees are harmless pollinators that play an important role in pollinating native plants and crops.
HabitatThese large black bees get their name because they excavate galleries in wood for their nesting sites. They do not eat or consume wood. But instead, feed on pollen and nectar. Carpenter bees do not live in colonies and are not considered social insects. Females will nest in a wide variety of woods but prefer either weathered or unpainted wood. The male often acts aggressively towards humans and even buzzes around us, but since the male does not have a stinger… it is all just for show. The female, however, does have a stinger but rarely uses it.Carpenter bees will attack structural timbers and wood products such as fence posts, utility poles, firewood, and even lawn furniture. In buildings, carpenter bees nest in bare wood, such as in eaves and gables, fascia boards, decks, porch ceilings, wood siding, railings, shutters, shingles, and other weathered wood products. Carpenter bees avoid wood that is well-painted or covered with bark.
Their primary diet consists of pollen and nectar.
Learn about Carpenter Bees
Utah beehive found: 60,000 honey bees
FAQ
What are the all black bees in Utah?
Are black bees harmful?
What type of bee is black?
Can carpenter bees sting or bite you?
Are there black bees in North America?
These all-black bees (Andrena crataegi) are identified by the position of their wings which sit at 45 degrees. These are one of the most come types of black bees seen in Northern US states. Many black bees are found in Southern states but the Hawthorn Mining bee lives in temperate climates in North America and Europe. 6. Spring Beauty Miner
Do black bees live in hives?
Many types of black bees also live solitary lives. They might not live in hives which means they aren’t as easy to spot. While common, black bees are still not deeply studied. The Spring Beauty Miner is one example of black bee species that’s very common but that hasn’t been in the spotlight of bee research compared to other colored bees.
Are black bees dangerous?
While common, black bees are still not deeply studied. The Spring Beauty Miner is one example of black bee species that’s very common but that hasn’t been in the spotlight of bee research compared to other colored bees. While not particularly aggressive, black bees might still sting when threatened or roughly handled. 1. Southern Carpenter Bee
What type of bee has a black body?
The bee has a mostly black body with brown bands. This species has a black body and brown wings. Some brown marks and stripes can be seen in certain areas on Dieunomia heteropoda. It collects pollen with hairs across its body, particularly on its lower abdomen. 9. Osmia chalybea Osmia chalybea. Image by Wendy McCrady via inaturalist
How big does a black bee get?
However, its large size makes it hard to miss whenever it appears in April. Bees of this genus grow to a size of more than 1 inch, being a large species compared to other black bees.
What do black bees look like?
Two-spotted Longhorn bees (Melissodes bimaculatus) are some of the most common black bees little is known about. Bees of this genus have a black body with yellow hairs on the rear legs that look similar to pollen. Crops and farmland are among the favorites for these bees as they visit corn, squash, wild bergamot, and asters first.