ALBERTA’S NATIVE BEES

About half the species of bees that occur in Canada have been found in Alberta (375 in Alberta; 903 in Canada). On this page, you will learn detailed information about native bees in Alberta.

Taxonomy

A system of classification known as taxonomy is used to group living organisms according to how closely related they are.  The taxonomic system uses a number of levels to classify organisms, with each level becoming more specific. All bees are insects (Class Insecta) and belong to Hymenoptera, an Order that includes bees, wasps, sawflies and ants. Within the Order, bees are grouped into Families.  Alberta’s native bees belong to one of the following families:

• Andrenidae (mining bees)

• Apidae (includes bumble bees, digger bees, chimney bees, long-horned bees)

• Colletidae (plasterer bees)

• Halictidae (sweat bees)

• Megachilidae (includes carder bees, leafcutter bees, mason bees)

• Melittidae (melittid bees)

Within each of the families, similar bees are classified within the same Genus. For example, all bumble bees would be in the Bombus genus. Individual types of bees are classified to species. Genus and species names are italicized.

Click any of the pictures below for detailed information about that family group.