Spring brings the emergence of native bees in the U.S., which differ greatly from the commonly recognized honeybee, Apis mellifera. While honeybees are European imports relied upon for crop pollination and honey production, native bees like the Agapostemon sericeus contribute significantly to ecosystems with over 4,000 distinct species in North America. These bees have evolved unique traits suited for pollinating various plant species, showcasing a vast array of colors and sizes. Biologist Sydney Shumar highlights the importance of recognizing and understanding these native bees as key players in biodiversity and ecological health.
Take the majority of what you know about honeybees and throw it away. It does not apply to our native bee friends.
There are more than 4,000 native bee species in the U.S. The reason why there are so many native bees is you have all these different little things evolving to pollinate groups or species of plants.
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