Bees: Introduction

Biology

Bees in North America are grouped into six families:

1. Colletidae (Polyester Bees)
2. Andrenidae (Mining Bees)
3. Halictidae (Sweat Bees)
4. Mellitidae (Oil-Collecting Bees),
5. Megachilidae (Leafcutter and Mason Bees)
6. Apidae (Bumble, Carpenter, Honey and Other Bees).

Oil-collecting bees (Mellitidae) are rarely seen in the United States and representatives of the other five families are most likely to be seen in the Pacific Northwest. Some of the most common bees seen in Washington State home gardens are discussed in the individual fact sheets.