Identification of bees

Bees belong to the Superfamily Apocrita in the Order Hymenoptera.

What do bees look like?

Size:

• 2 mm - 39 mm in length.

Body:

• Stout or elongate and constricted at the 'waist' (not always obvious).
• Body has forked hairs.
• Can appear hard or soft and fluffy.

Antennae:

• Thread-like and distinctly elbowed. First segment much larger than the others.

Eyes:

• Large to very large. Well separated in females and close together in males.

Mouthparts:

• Used for cutting and lapping, held downwards at rest.

Wings:

• Two pairs.
• Both pairs are membranous and clear with few veins and cross-veins - but have visible cells.
• Veins do not extend to wing margin.
• Hindwing always shorter and narrower than forewing.
• Fore- and hindwing coupled tightly by a row of minute hooks (hamuli).
• At rest wings are held flat over the body, overlapping in some species.

Limbs:

• Six legs.
• Hindlegs are enlarged and have forked hairs.

Abdomen tip:

• Cerci (tails) absent and they occasionally have a stinger.

Where are bees found?

• On plants especially around flowers.
• Holes, hollows or burrows in wood, soil, plant stems and rock crevices.
• Some species can be found in nests of unrelated bee species.

Bee behaviour

• Most bees live alone in nests. However, some nest alongside each other in small to large groups occupying the nest similar to flats in an apartment block. A few bees are truly social, forming colonies where individuals share the responsibility of providing care for the young. Social bees have a queen bee, reproductive males and a large number of sterile workers.
• When disturbed bees fly away, sting or swarm (rare). Most bees sting as a last resort, although true social bees can become aggressive and attack when their hive is threatened.
• They are strong fliers. Many bees are capable of flying long distances as well as hovering. They tend to buzz loudly when they fly.
• Bees hold their antennae in front when walking.
• The majority of bees are pollen or nectar feeders.
• They provide food for their young. Bees transfer pollen using special arrangements of hairs that form pollen baskets on their hindlegs and the underside of the abdomen. They may also ingest pollen and nectar, then regurgitate it once they are back at their nest.
• They are extremely important plant pollinators.
• They are mostly active during the day. Many species have been observed sleeping in groups at night.

What insects look similar to bees?

• Wasps are closely related to bees (in the same Order) and so share many common features. Wasps can be distinguished from bees by having one or more of the following: an obvious constriction at the waist; fewer hairs; hindlegs not enlarged to form baskets of hairs for carrying pollen; very few veins and cross-veins on the wings; and long antennae.
• Sawflies are closely related to bees (in the same Order) and so share many common features. Sawflies can be distiguished from bees as they have no constriction at the waist, lack enlarged hindlegs and forked hairs, have a saw-like spike extending from the abdomen; have more veins and cross-veins on the wings.