Solitary Ground Bee on a White Background

Solitary Ground Bee

Category:

Actual Size: ¼ to ½ inch long

Characteristics: Often mistaken for honey bees, solitary ground bees usually have a darker coloration, ranging from metallic green to blue-black. They’re also less hairy.

Legs: 6

Antennae: One pair of elbowed antennae

Habitat: Prefer well-drained, sunny areas with bare or sparsely vegetated soil. You might spot their nests as small mounds of dirt with a hole in the center, often in lawns, gardens, or natural areas.

Habits:

  • Active in spring and early summer, coinciding with the blooming of many plants.
  • Each female builds and provisions her own nest.
  • Males don’t have stingers and spend most of their time patrolling for mates.

Solitary Ground Bees in Illinois

If you’re in Illinois, you’re likely to encounter solitary ground bees. The area provides ideal habitats for many species of ground-nesting bees, including the mining bee (Andrena sp.) and sweat bee (Halictidae family). Their presence is actually a good sign – it means your local ecosystem is healthy and thriving! But as a pest, it’s also understandable that they become a nuisance for you and your family.

Solitary Ground Bee Habitat

Solitary ground bees often make their homes in residential lawns, parks, and natural areas. They’re particularly fond of south-facing slopes with plenty of sunlight and areas with sparse vegetation. If you notice small mounds of soil appearing in your yard in early spring, don’t panic. These are likely the nests of solitary ground bees.

Solitary Ground Bee Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Solitary ground bees are not aggressive and rarely sting unless directly provoked. Female solitary ground bees can sting, but they’re much less likely to do so than social bees like honey bees or yellow jackets. They don’t have a colony to defend, so they’re not on high alert like some other bees might be. Males can’t sting at all!

Call your local bee pest control specialists right away if you notice signs of solitary ground bees.

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