TheSuperfamily Apoidea includes all bees. Contrary to common perceptions,most bees are solitary. The social honey bees and bumble bees are infact the exceptions. Solitary bees live in small nests in the ground orother natural cavities. Bees feed on flower pollen or nectar and as aresult play an important role in pollinating plants, includingflowering crops such as cotton, fruits, and vegetables.

The Coal Oil Point Reserve collection includes ten species of native bees, in addition to the nonnative European honeybee.

Bee Photos (click to enlarge)
Halictidae - Sweat Bees
Megachilidae - Leafcutting Bees
Anthiphoridae - Carpenter bees
Apidae - Honey Bees and Bumble Bees
Bumblebee Bombus sp.
European honeybee Apis mellifera
Back to:      Orders guide      Ants, Bees and Wasps    Top of page