Minnesota Native Bees
A digital field guide illustrating the native bees of Minnesota
About Minnesota Native Bees
Minnesota Native Bees is a free online field guide dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of native bees, their diversity, natural history, and conservation.
The guide's goal is to collect, illustrate, and disseminate information about native bee diversity and natural history in Minnesota and the surrounding regions.
Golden Alexander
Zizia aurea
Looking for a Bee ID?
To get help with bee identifications, create a free iNaturalist or BugGuide account then upload your bee photo(s) to one of these sites. Experts will help you identify your bee. Once your bee is identified, visit this site to learn more about its natural history, nesting preferences, and conservation.
Explore Bee Families
Apidae
15 genera, 133 species
Bumble bees Bombus
Longhorn bees
Epimelissodes, Eucera, Melissodes
Carpenter bees
Ceratina, Xylocopa
Honey bees Apis
Digger bees Anthophora
Cuckoo bees Brachymelecta, Epeolus, Holcopasites, Nomada, Neolarra, Triepeolus
Squash bees Xenoglossa
2 genera, 39 species
Halictidae
10 genera, 134 species
Metallic green sweat bees
Agapostemon, Augochlora, Augochlorella, Augochloropsis
Large sweat bees
Dieunomia, Nomia
Short-faced bees Dufourea
Sweat bees Halictus
Small sweat bees Lasioglossum
Cuckoo (blood) bees Sphecodes
Megachilidae
14 genera, 86 species
Resin and pebble bees Anthidiellum, Dianthidium, Heriades, Paranthidium
Carder bees Anthidium, Pseudoanthidium
Mock orange bees Chelostoma
Mason bees Osmia, Hoplitis
Leafcutter bees Megachile
Sharp-tailed cuckoo bees Coelioxys
Dark cuckoo bees Stelis
Page Photography Credits
Heather Holm