#beesightings — Public Fediverse posts

So, sighted some bees that were smaller than #CarpenterBees. They *might* be Queen Bumblebees, who are out before the workers and males. According to the #MaineBumbleBeeAtlas, workers and males sometimes don't emerge until the first week in June, so maybe they are late. I thought I saw a couple during an early spring thaw -- hopefully, not all of them emerged back then. I also saw a lot of smaller bees -- sweat bees, miner bees, a few honey bees -- and, of course, the humingbird moth (not a bee, but a pollinator).

Finding the Bees in Your Yard

"The most likely place to find bees is in the flowers of native plants, when the day is sunny, relatively calm, and the temperature is above 70°F. To be active, fly, and feed, bees need to be warm. A few species are active below 60°, but most prefer temperatures above 72°. Wind makes flying more difficult because it requires more energy.

"Although some species may be active by late February if temperatures are unusually warm, the vernal bee species (those present in the spring) generally become active by mid-April. You may observe them on early blooming flowers, such as willow catkins and dandelions. Some native bee species continue their activities into the autumn until the last asters, dandelions and autumn dandelions die. The greatest diversity and abundance of native bees is in midsummer, unless there is a lack of suitable flowers, perhaps because of drought, heavy rains, or how the landscape is managed.

"Other places to find native bees are where they nest. Look at the soil along bare banks with a sunny southern exposure. Look in bramble canes, beetle borings in snags, and in abandoned birdhouses. If you do search for bee nests, remember to be cautious for yourself and respectful of them!"

https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/7153e/

#Bees #BeeSightings #Maine #CitizenScientist #GardeningForPollinators