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New England Gardening

Bee Identification

10 years ago

Who's visiting your garden right now? Arugula that went to seed has many little yellow flowers right now attracting some "bees". I'm not sure what I think are honey bees are actually honey bees but I can't find a good bee id website. In fact, some of the bees have wings that look more like something found on flies. Any bee experts out there?

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Comments (5)

corunum z6 CT
10 years ago
Bumbles are visiting a watermelon pink table. Why did I think procreation took place in the hive?

Sorry, defrost, I know this is no help. :)
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I'm no expert but here are a couple of references with pictures:
Insect Identification: Bees, Ants, Wasps and Similar Insects

Little insects that look like bees, AKA hover flies:

BugGuide.net
Family Syrphidae - Syrphid Flies

I'm seeing bumble bees, bald-faced hornets and yellow jackets mostly, although I haven't really tried to identify them.

Claire
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defrost49
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, Claire. It looks like some of what I've see are Syrphid Flies not bees.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Steve posted this Bumble Bee ID resource earlier this year, though it won't help with your honey bees.
defrost49 thanked NHBabs z4b-5a NH
defrost49
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks NH Babs. The cherry tomatoes planted under the kitchen window where we sit for meals has given us a great view of bumble bees. We could easily see the loaded pollen pockets on the rear legs but didn't know there was more than one kind of bumble bee!

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