Bees

Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila. There are nearly 20,000 known species of bees in seven to nine recognized families though many are undescribed and the actual number is probably higher. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants. Many different types of bees can be found in South Florida including: bumble bees, honey bees, sweat bees, orchid bees, megachilles bees, parasitic bees, miner bees, mason bees, as well as a variety of bee mimics. I would like to give a special thanks to Dr. James Wiley at the Florida Museum of Entomology for helping me tentatively identify the bees on this page.

Orchid Bee, Euglossa viridissima. Orchid Bee, Euglossa viridissima. Orchid Bee, Euglossa viridissima. Agopestemon splendes, Miramar Fl. Small Bee Nomia nortoni Anthidium oblongatum Megachilidae sp. Lasioglossum Megachilidae sp. Megachilidae sp. Megachilidae sp. Coelioxys mating Megachilidae sp. Furry Black and White Bee in Flight Bumble Bee in Flight Male Bumble Bee Metallic Sweat Bee, Augochlora sp. or Augochlorella sp. Honey Bee, Apis mellifera L Honey Bee, Apis mellifera Honey Bee Landing on a Flower Halictidae bee Unknown Bee  Megachile sp. Melissodes sp. Melissodes sp. Male. Melissodes sp. Female. Centris sp. Agapostemon splendens male Anthidiellum Eastern Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa virginica (L.) Orchid Bee Euglossa viridissima Orchid Bee Euglossa viridissima Clepto-Parasitic Bee, Coelioxys sp Megachilidae Family Halictus sp. Male, Miramar Fl. Sweat Bee, Halictidae Halictus sp. Megachilidae Family Megachile xylocopoides Sphecodes Bee Triepeolus rufithorax Triepeolus rufithorax Halictus poey Coelioxys, Miramar Fl. Megachile lanata
Megachilidae family Metallic Sweat Bee, Augochlora sp. or Augochlorella sp., Miramar Fl. Honey bee in flight, Apis mellifera