Yellow and black bees are some of the most commonly seen bees in backyards and gardens. With over 20000 species of bees in the world it can be tricky figuring out exactly which type of bee you’re looking at. This article provides a helpful guide to identifying the most frequent yellow and black bees you’re likely to encounter.
Distinguishing Bees from Wasps
Before diving into yellow and black bees, it’s important to understand the difference between bees and wasps. Bees and wasps belong to the insect order Hymenoptera and look similar but have a few key differences
- Bees can only sting once before dying, while wasps can sting multiple times.
- Bees tend to have fuzzier, hairier bodies compared to the smooth, slender bodies of wasps.
- Wasps have distinct black and bright yellow banding, while bees are more nondescript shades of brown, yellow, or orange.
There are exceptions, but these traits help distinguish bees from wasps at a glance.
Common Yellow and Black Bee Families
There are 7 main families of bees
- Apidae – Includes honeybees, bumblebees, carpenter bees
- Megachilidae – Includes mason bees, leafcutter bees
- Andrenidae – Includes mining bees
- Colletidae – Includes cellophane bees, plasterer bees
- Halictidae – Includes sweat bees
- Melittidae
- Stenotritidae
Of these, the most frequently seen yellow and black bees come from the Apidae, Megachilidae, Andrenidae, and Halictidae families.
Identifying Yellow and Black Bees
Here are some of the most common yellow and black bees found in backyards:
Honeybee
- Yellow and brown striped bodies
- Hairy eyes, males’ eyes meet at top of head
- No spurs on hind legs
- Flattened pollen baskets on hind legs
- Spoon-shaped mandibles
Bumblebee
- Robust, fuzzy bodies
- Females have 6 abdominal segments, males have 7
- Three tail patterns: white, red, uniform black/ginger
- Yellow bands on abdomen
Mason Bee
- Metallic blue-black bodies
- Carry pollen on underside of abdomen
- Nest in existing holes and crevices
Mining Bee
- Black and gray (ashy mining bee)
- Black and orange (tawny mining bee)
- Burrow nests underground
- Feed on flowers like buttercups and dandelions
Yellow-faced Bee
- Black bodies with yellow/white markings
- Slender wasp-like shape
- Carry pollen in stomach instead of legs
- Nest in existing tunnels
Furrow Bee
- Small, docile
- Diverse colors like black, gold, blue, purple
- Females have distinct broad heads
- Ground-nesting
Carpenter Bee
- Large, up to 1 inch long
- Robust black bodies, sometimes green or purple
- Males may have yellow/white markings
- Bore perfectly round holes in wood for nests
Tips for Identifying Bees
- Look at color patterns, size, shape, and behavior
- Note nesting habits – ground, holes, wood?
- Watch how they carry pollen – legs, abdomen?
- Pay attention to feeding flowers and seasons seen
- Use images for visual comparison
With 20,000 bee species, there’s amazing diversity to appreciate. Getting acquainted with the most common yellow and black bees in your area is a great start to learning more about these vital pollinators.
What’s The Difference Between Bees, Wasps, Yellow Jackets, and Hornets?
FAQ
What type of bee is yellow and black?
Can the black and yellow bumble bees sting?
What happens if a carpenter bee stings you?
Should I worry about carpenter bees?
Do black and Yellow Wasps look like bees?
Identifying black and yellow wasps is tricky because some wasps look like bees. Additionally, hornets with black and yellow stripes are a type of wasp but have more aggressive behavior. There are also species of bees that seem aggressive; however, the black and yellow insects exhibit defensive behavior only when threatened.
What does a bee look like?
Some bees are more brown or tan in color, while others are jet black or even red. Some bees can be pretty hairy, while others have smooth, shiny bodies. They might have white or yellow markings, or look completely unlike a bee with metallic black or green bodies.
Do black and yellow bees kill honeybees?
The small yellow and black bees will also kill Western honey bees and take over their hives. Plasterer bees are a group of black bees with yellow or orange-striped abdomens that nest in the ground. The black and yellow species of plaster bee is the ivy bee (Colletes hederae).
What does a black bee look like?
These bees are black with white hairs covering the thorax and the bottom of the abdomen. Many species have large heads with massive jaws that aid in cutting off leaves. They are very fast flyers and carry pollen on their abdomens.
What does a black and white mining bee look like?
The black and white bee has an identifiable shiny black abdomen that can appear bluish in bright light. The furry bees also have two slender segmented antennae and heads covered in whitish-gray hairs. The black male ashy mining bee is entirely covered in gray hairs with a tuft of white hairs on its face.
What is a black and yellow plaster bee?
The black and yellow species of plaster bee is the ivy bee (Colletes hederae). This flying insect measures 0.5” (12 mm) long and has a smooth black abdomen with bands of yellowish-orange hairs. The ivy bee is often found feeding on flowers on the common ivy plant (Hedera helix).