Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are the only bees you may see in your garden year-round. Other bees are seasonal, with different species appearing at different times of the year. Here are three of the California native bees you may see in your garden during September; all are important pollinators:
Longhorned Bee (Melissodes agiles)
These endearing bees are named for the males’ distinctive, long, fuzzy antennae. All bees rest and sleep an average of 5-7 hours each night. The females are solitary ground nesters that return to their tiny burrow each night. Males sleep outside, often spending the night on the surface of a flat flower such as a daisy or aster. Sometimes they will cluster together in a group. If you go out at dusk, look at your flowers to see if any are spending the night in your garden!
Valley Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sonorina)
California is home to three species of carpenter bees. The Valley carpenter bee is the largest and is the most common in the Central Valley. A robust bee, it’s about an inch long. The female is solid black and can often be heard buzzing as she flies by you. The male, commonly known as the “teddy bear bee” is a green-eyed, golden fuzzy bee. Females can sting if provoked, while males cannot sting. Solitary in nature, they excavate holes in wood, preferring weathered wood.
Green Metallic Sweat Bee (Agapostemon texanus)
These bees are spectacular due to their vibrant shiny green color. The females are metallic from head to thorax to abdomen. The males are metallic green from head to thorax with striped abdomens. They are called “sweat bees” because they can be attracted to the salt found in human sweat. Females will sting only if they feel threatened or trapped, but stings are usually mild. They are generally around 0.2 – 0.4 inches in length and often nest in the ground.
Have you seen these bees in your garden? Please comment on our post!
Resources and Additional Information:
Lornhorned Bees
Meet a Longhorned Bee - https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=53650&
Boys Night Out: Let’s Have a Slumber Party! https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=27982
About Those Sleepovers -https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=14806
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter Bees - https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7417.html
Carpenter Bee Beneficial Insect or Pest? - https://ucanr.edu/blog/bug-squad/article/carpenter-bee-beneficial-insect-or-pest
Green Metallic Sweat Bees
No Sweat Being Green - https://ucanr.edu/blog/bug-squad/article/no-sweat-being-green
Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Cooperative Extension Master Garden in Stanislaus County since 2020.