Bee Identification - Colorado Native Bee

Bee Identification Tips:

Bees: The first step is to distinguish bees from wasps and flies. Bees, wasps and flies have many similarities. The following tips will help you to determine if your specimen belongs to the bee epifamily (Anthophila).

Four Wings – Two pairs, sometimes difficult to see; hind wings are often small; wings are often held along side the body, crossed over the body, or at a 45-degree angle
Hair – Most have hairy bodies for carrying pollen
Eyes – Large, well-separated on top of head
Antennae – Long, segmented, and often bent
Corbiculae – Many bees have flattened plates used as pollen baskets on hind legs
Scopae – Pollen-carrying hairs usually on the hind legs or the underside of the abdomen, often covered with pollen
Body Shape – Rounder bodies than wasps and flies. The following shapes are acceptable body shapes for bees:
Bombiform
Euceriform
Megachiliform
Apiform
Hylaeiform
Andreniform
Epeoliform

Wasps belong to the insect order Hymenoptera that also includes bees, ants, and sawflies. They are defined by having four wings, and the females have an ovipositor for
laying eggs. In some cases, the ovipositor in wasps has been modified into a stinger. Wasp species can be social, solitary, or parasitoid. Wasp characteristics include:

Narrower bodies than bees, and not distinctly hairy
Two pairs (four) of wings, often longer than bees
Many have a pinched abdomen known as a “wasp waist”
Often distinct black, yellow, or white color patterns on the exoskeleton
Do not carry pollen loads

Flies belong to the insect order Diptera. Flies are defined by having only one pair of wings. The second pair of wings evolved into halteres, which are a sensory organ to help the insect with movement in flight. Some flies mimic the appearance of bees and wasps to protect themselves from predators. The colors and patterns appear as a stinging insect, which sends predators a warning. This is known as Batesian mimicry. Fly characteristics include:

One pair (two) of wings
Short, thick antennae, usually with three segments
Large eyes near the front of their head
Usually not hairy (there are exceptions)
Flies can hover (most bees cannot)
Do not carry pollen loads

Bee Identification Tips:

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