Washington Native Bee Society

As climate change and habitat loss accelerate, our landscapes can become lifelines. Insects are resilient. Collectively, our ecologically friendly landscapes can become safe havens, restoring not just biodiversity but our connection to the natural world.

Back in 2020, we started a native bee society here in Washington State, and the progress we have made for our native bees has exceeded our expectations. Based on what we have learned, we're eager to help support the establishment of native bee societies in other states such as yours.

A common response to a great macro photo is: "You must have a great camera." Expect a polite non-response. Andrena prunorum, Beacon Food...

The focus of this blog is on the topic of “take” (collecting) as it applies to wildlife species, including bees and other insects, with the primary focus on our Washington state laws.

If a common name is any indication, these large bees have an unrivaled affinity for thistles. Their scientific name is a bit more puzzling. Melissodes translates to melissa, meaning "bee," and -odes, meaning "resembling"—so essentially "bee-like." The species name rivalis could mean "of the stream" or maybe "dweller of brooks," though I've mostly seen them in dry places. It also might hint at the word "rival." Like many scientific names, there's a mix of poetry and puzzlement

This festival is a unique opportunity to connect with pollinator champions, learn how to make your outdoor spaces pollinator-friendly, and have a great time with family and friends.

Are bees in a birdhouse a problem? It depends. A bumble bee colony only lasts for one season; if you find one on your property, giving the nest space and leaving the bees to finish their life cycle is the best choice whenever possible. If the nest is not in a busy area, it can usually be safely ignored. If it’s located where excited pets or running children might get too close and risk being stung, you might be able to install a barrier to direct people away from the nest.

Habropoda miserabilis, Pacific Dune Digger bees, nesting, dune specialist, Blue-eyed Mary, psammophile, Seablush, Collinsia parviflora

On July 18, 2024, a group of bees emerging from the ground near my pickup caught my attention.  It was fascinating watching them exit...

The first Washington state iNaturalist verified observation of the species, Hylaeus basalis, (Cinquefoil Masked Bee).

The Vancouver Bee Project is leading the charge in conservation and education, fostering a community that cherishes and supports pollinators. From native plant seed libraries to school programs, our work revolves around one goal: building a pollinator-friendly future.

Solitary bees don’t make honey or combs of wax, but they are incredibly creative when it comes to building nests. Remarkably, over two-thirds of solitary bees nest underground. Mining bees and digger bees are good examples. These small insects that we typically see in flowers also dig burrows that can range from a few inches to several feet deep.

You have to wonder if the Tri-Cities is a hotbed for Epeolus and Triepeolus cuckoo bees or if WaNBS member Lisa Hill just has an eye for...

Whether you a a bee-ginner with a cell phone or a taxonomist with a fancy camera, there is lots to learn on iNat.

WaNBS Board member Aidan Hersh travels afar to observe extraordinary bees Ever since I began practicing macrophotography and seeing the...

There are green bees. Tons of them. And they wear it well. So well, that I'd say green is the new black and yellow. So, let's go on a photographic adventure through Washington State's verdant pastures so you can see for yourself, and maybe you'll never see bees the same again. 

Here is a great tip for befriending bees, learned by chatting with @ kiwikiu, in iNaturalist, where he is a Curator with over 40,000...

Congratulations to our board member, Tina LaBonte, for having 17 of her photos featured in “Common Native Bees of the Western United State,” a new guidebook by Ryan Bartlett of Colorado Native Bee.

WaNBS member Kris Ethington scouts out the northern Olympic Penisula, with board member Ingrid Carmean.

Digger bees (genus Anthophora) are often the first native bees to be found in a Seattle spring.