Bees are essential pollinators that support biodiversity and food production. But not all bees are the same. Mason bees and honey bees have key differences in biology, behavior and ecology. In this article we’ll explore how these two types of bees compare.
Identification
Honey bees (genus Apis) are probably the most familiar bee species They are larger bees, typically marked with brown and yellow banding Honey bees live in large colonies composed of thousands of workers along with drones and a queen.
Mason bees are solitary, non-social bees in the genus Osmia. There are around 300 species, most of which are small to medium-sized. They are often metallic blue, green, or black, and may be smooth and shiny or quite fuzzy.
Nesting Habits
Honey bees construct elaborate hive structures out of beeswax produced by workers. Hives can be reused for years and host 40,000 or more bees.
Mason bees nest in pre-existing hollows and holes, either natural or human-made. They do not excavate new nests. Solitary female mason bees lay eggs in narrow tunnels, sealing them with mud or chewed leaf pieces.
Pollination Prowess
Both mason bees and honey bees are effective pollinators that visit many flower species. But they differ in some key ways:
-
Pollen carrying – Honey bees have specialized pollen baskets on their hind legs. Mason bees use a dense coat of branched hairs called scopa to carry pollen on their abdomens.
-
Efficiency – Mason bees can pollinate up to 5 times more flowers per trip than honey bees. Their pollen-coated bodies contact flower reproductive parts more consistently.
-
Crop dependence – Managed honey bee hives can be transported to provide crop pollination. Mason bees nest nearby and cannot be deliberately relocated.
-
Generalist vs. specialist – Honey bees visit a wide variety of flowers. Some mason bee species preferentially forage on specific plants.
Sting Risk
Honey bees will aggressively defend their hive by swarming and stinging intruders. Their barbed stingers remain in skin, continuing to inject venom as the bee dies.
Mason bees are solitary and docile. They rarely sting unless directly handled. Their stingers lack barbs and can be used repeatedly without injury to the bee.
Population Trends
Both native mason bees and introduced honey bees face threats like habitat loss, diseases, and pesticides. But some differences stand out:
-
Managed honey bee colonies have declined in North America and Europe due to colony collapse disorder. Wild honey bee populations remain stable.
-
Data are limited, but native mason bee populations are thought to be declining in tandem with other native pollinators.
-
Climate change may favor mason bees, which are active in cooler weather than honey bees.
Supporting Bee Populations
Here are some tips for boosting mason and honey bee populations in your area:
-
Plant native wildflowers and bee-friendly gardens with continuous bloom.
-
Reduce or eliminate pesticide use. Avoid spraying while bees are active.
-
Leave dead wood and hollow stems for mason bees to nest in. Install mason bee houses.
-
Provide clean water sources with floating stones for bees to drink from and rest on.
-
Learn bee-friendly gardening and land management practices.
Appreciating All Bees
Mason bees and honey bees both provide valuable ecosystem services through pollination. While honey bees get more mainstream attention, recognizing the role of native bees like mason bees is key. By supporting habitat for diverse pollinators, we can help sustain both agriculture and wild plant communities. Bees of all stripes deserve our appreciation and protection.
Mason Bee vs. Honey Bee
Even though both the honey bee and the mason bee are great pollinators, they are not at all the same. Honey bees (Genus Apis) are truly social bees, and arguably occupy the top of the bee evolutionary tree. They live in large colonies that last for many years. Each colony has a queen that can live for many years, male drones that only show up in the summer, and many sterile workers that only live for a few weeks to many months. These big, complicated colonies need a lot of food stored away in case there is a shortage or cold weather. All species make combs out of wax that the workers secrete. The combs are made up of hexagonal cells arranged in one or more vertical rows.
Contrary to honey bees, mason bees do not produce honey and lack the venom that is found in the stinger of a honeybee, making them a great alternative to people who might be allergic to Honeybees.
Honey bees are a great species to use as an indicator because they are kept in managed beehives all over the United States. The Best Bees Company keeps track of information about the health of honeybees across the country with the help of Apis mellifera ligustica, a calm breed of Italian honey bees. This can also help us understand the health of pollinators in general. Read the 2021 State of the Honeybee Report to find out more about the most up-to-date information on honeybees and what scientists and beekeeping services are doing to keep them safe.
Mason Bee vs. Leafcutter Bee
There are some important differences between the Mason Bee and the Leafcutter Bee. Both find their own food and are calm pollinators that lay their eggs in tube-shaped nests. Kind Bee Farms makes the distinction between these two bees by examining the following:
- Sound: A Mason Bee’s buzzing can make it sound like a housefly, while a Leafcutter Bee is much quieter as it moves.
- Mason bees usually come out of their nests to pollinate in the spring, while Leafcutter bees do the same thing in the warm summer months, from June to August.
Mason Bees vs. Honey Bees
FAQ
Are mason bees better than honey bees?
What are the cons of mason bees?
Do mason bees damage homes?
How to tell a mason bee from a honey bee?
Are mason bees better pollinators than honeybees?
As we mentioned before, mason bees are better pollinators than honey bees. Indeed, while the latter is more popular, the first doesn’t get the attention they deserve. Despite not producing delicious honey, mason bees are beneficial creatures to any ecosystem. Honey bees collect pollen and place it in dedicated baskets in their bodies.
Are mason bees the same as carpenters?
Although they share similar habits, mason bees are not the same as carpenter bees. They create their nests in different places. Mason bees prefer soft mortar or mud, and carpenter bees prefer wood. Do Mason Bees Produce Honey? No, mason bees do not make honey. It is honey bees, hence the name, that produces the honey we know and love.
What is the difference between a honey bee and a masonry bee?
Mason bees are solitary bees which means they nest alone. Honey bees are social, which means they live in groups. Honey bees, as the name suggests, are the bees that produce honey. What is a Mason Bee? Worldwide, there are around 500 species o f Mason Bees (Osmia bicornis), also known as masonry bees.
Do Mason Bees Make Honey?
Mason bees do not produce honey or make beeswax. Honey bees are good pollinators for a wide variety of plants and crops. They are able to carry large quantities of pollen on their specialized pollen baskets. Living in large families, they are able to be moved by migratory beekeepers to crop fields.
What does a mason bee look like?
Mason bees have a varied appearance, ranging from black or brown through to metallic blue or green. Unlike honey bees, the female mason bee is larger than the male. The male mason bee is identified by its light-colored facial hair. While some mason bee species are extremely furry, others have smooth, shiny abdomens.
What is the purpose of a male mason bee?
Equally, the only purpose of a male mason bee is to mate. It doesn’t live in the nest, though it may sleep in an unused one. Beekeepers are interested in running apiaries of both species. Mason bees because they are such good pollinators and will ready local flowers for the honey bee. Honey bees for their production of honey and waxy honeycombs.