Bee Basics: An Introduction to Our Native Bees

by Beatriz Moisset, Stephen Buchmann

Native bees are a hidden treasure. From alpine meadows in the national forests of the Rocky Mountains to the Sonoran Desert in the Coronado National Forest in Arizona and from the boreal forests of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to the Ocala National Forest in Florida, bees can be found anywhere in North America, where flowers bloom. From forests to farms, from cities to wildlands, there are 4,000 native bee species in the United States, from the tiny Perdita minima to large carpenter bees.

This illustrated and colorful pamphlet provides valued information about native bees   --over 4,000 in population --varying in a wide array of sizes, shapes, and colors. They are also different in their life styles, the places they frequent, the nests they build, the flowers they visit, and their season of activity. Yet, they all provide an invaluable ecosystem service - pollination -to 80 percent of flowering plants.  Blueberry bees, bumble bees, yellow jacket bees, carpenter bees, and more are explored, including the differences in their gender, nests, and geographical regions that they visit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

42 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

A biologist with a doctorate from the University of Cordoba, Argentina. Has studied pollinators of North America for more than twelve years. Published numerous articles as well as "Bee Basics. An Introduction to our Native Bees."
Some comments about "Bee Basics:"
". . .a wonderful and engaging entree into the hidden world of North America's native bees. The full-color 40 page booklet is jam-packed with information about [representatives of]
3,500 species" (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/6...)
"What a fabulous, well put together educational book on Bee Basics!" (https://www.facebook.com/GoatHouseFarms)
"The full-color 40 page booklet is jam-packed with information about how
representative bees of 3,500 species inhabiting the US and bordering areas make a living, which flowers they visit, whether they nest underground or in hollow stems or wood." (http://membracid.wordpress.com/tag/co...)

Reviews

[Ron Cammel]

Great information on bees, with beautiful drawings. While the book is not an identification guide, it describes some main species.

[Cephalopodophil. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely guide to saving bees and their habitats!