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Bee Identification #757306

Asked June 20, 2021, 1:48 PM EDT

I am a first year beekeeper and shortly after doing my hive inspection I saw this bee hanging around my new bee equipment. It doesn't look like a normal honey bee (apis mellifera) and I know Michigan has a lot of other native species of bees. There were actually a few of these bees hanging out of some shipping boxes but this one was staying particularly still so I was able to shoot some video and take some pictures.

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response

You are correct this is one of MI's native bees. It could be a sweat bee (Halictidae) or a mining bee (Andrenidae). The wing venation is one of the features to distinguish families, but this is not possible with the wings crossed. If there was any sugary food in the package, that could have attracted these wild bees.

David Lowenstein Replied June 20, 2021, 10:23 PM EDT

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