Bees in this category are the most wasp-like of them all. They typically have bold black and yellow striping similar to many of the mason and potter wasps (Eumenini), paper wasps (Polistes), and yellow-jackets (Dolichovespula and Vespula) in the northeast. Your bee might belong to one of the following genera:
- nearly complete yellow bands on abdomen
- common in gardens or disturbed areas
- tiny, black bean-sized
- cream-colored spots on abdomen
- only found in heavily urbanized areas
- brightly colored legs and abdomen
- often encountered in spring hovering over ground
- “smiley face” on thorax
- wings often held out
- seen in summer to coincide with longhorn bee hosts
None of these look right? Perhaps your bee is a bee mimic–a fly or a wasp! To learn more about distinguishing bees from non-bees, visit this other guide.
