top of page
HomeBanner.jpg

Minnesota Native Bees

A digital field guide illustrating the native bees of Minnesota

510

 Species

46

Genera

6

Families

New to Bees?

Learn some bee basics before diving into the Guide.

BeeDietAgapostemon.jpg

Bees &
Blooms

Explore which native plants are in bloom now and the types of bees visiting these plants.

Bees & Blooms

Featured Plant

CeratinaBeeID.jpg

Looking for a Bee ID?

To get help with bee identifications, create a free iNaturalist or BugGuide account then upload your bee photo(s) to one of these sites. Experts will help you identify your bee. Once your bee is identified, visit this site to learn more about its natural history, nesting preferences, and conservation. 

About Minnesota Native Bees

Minnesota Native Bees is a free online field guide dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of native bees, their diversity, natural history, and conservation. 

BombusProfile.jpg

Common Backyard Bees

Start here to learn more about common bee species observed in yards and gardens.

Augochlorella.jpg

Explore
the Guide

It's Not Easy
Being Green

Four genera of metallic green sweat bees occur in Minnesota. They can be difficult to tell apart, but with practice and clear photographs, these tips will help:

Meet Minnesota's State Bee

Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Bombus affinis

BombusAffinis.jpg

All About Bees

Learn about where bees nest, what they eat, their anatomy, sociality, and habitat. Explore bee myths, flower pollination, bee look-alikes, cuckoo bees, specialist bees, and more.

AllAboutBeesBanner.jpg

Upcoming Events

Learn about webinars, bee identification classes, and participatory science opportunities.

Explore Bee Families

AndrenaRubus.jpg

Andrenidae

4 genera, 112 species

Mining bees
Andrena, Calliopsis, Protandrena

Fairy bees Perdita

BombusBimaculatusBlephilia.jpg

Apidae

15 genera, 133 species

Bumble bees Bombus

Longhorn bees
Epimelissodes, Eucera, Melissodes
 

Carpenter bees
Ceratina, Xylocopa

 

Honey bees Apis

 

Digger bees Anthophora
 

Cuckoo bees Brachymelecta, Epeolus, Holcopasites, Nomada, Neolarra, Triepeolus  

Squash bees Xenoglossa

ColletesSalix.jpg

Colletidae

2 genera, 39 species

Cellophane (Plasterer) bees

Colletes
 

Masked (Yellow-faced) bees

Hylaeus

Augochloropsis.jpg

Halictidae

10 genera, 133 species

Metallic green sweat bees 
Agapostemon, Augochlora, Augochlorella, Augochloropsis

Large sweat bees
Dieunomia, Nomia
 

Short-faced bees Dufourea

 

Sweat bees Halictus

 

Small sweat bees Lasioglossum 
 

Cuckoo (blood) bees Sphecodes  

SolidagoRigidaMegachile.jpg

Megachilidae

14 genera, 86 species

Resin and pebble bees Anthidiellum, Dianthidium, Heriades, Paranthidium

Carder bees Anthidium, Pseudoanthidium
 

Mock orange bees Chelostoma

 

Mason bees Osmia, Hoplitis

Leafcutter bees Megachile
 

Sharp-tailed cuckoo bees Coelioxys

 

Dark cuckoo bees Stelis 

MacropisProfilePhoto.jpg

Melittidae

1 genus, 3 species

Loosestrife oil bees Macropis

Page Photography Credits

Heather Holm

bottom of page