06/08/2026
Alberta is home to over 320 species of native bees, making up about half of all bee species in Canada. They are incredibly diverse, ranging from tiny 3mm solitary species to robust bumblebees. The vast majority are solitary, living in the ground or tunnels rather than in large colonies.The native bees of Alberta fall into six major families, each with unique characteristics and nesting habits:
1. Apidae (Bumble Bees and Cuckoo Bees)Bumble Bees: These are the largest, hairiest, and most familiar bees in the province. They are social insects that nest in the ground, usually in abandoned rodent burrows or grass clumps.Cuckoo Bees: These are nest parasites; instead of building their own nests, they lay their eggs in the nests of other bees.
2. Megachilidae (Leafcutter, Mason, and Carder Bees)Leafcutter Bees: These bees neatly cut circular pieces of leaves and petals to construct their nests in tunnels.Mason Bees: They "mason" together soil and clay to build cell partitions for their young.
3. Andrenidae (Mining Bees)These are some of the first bees to emerge in the spring. They are solitary, ground-nesting bees that dig tunnels in bare soil and patches of dirt
4. Halictidae (Sweat Bees)Known for hovering around people to lap up salt from sweat. Many species in this family are striking, brilliant metallic green or copper
5. Colletidae (Plasterer and Masked Bees)Plasterer/Cellophane Bees: These bees line their underground nests with a transparent, waterproof, cellophane-like secretion to protect their young from moisture.
6. Melittidae (Oil Bees)Oil Bees: This family is incredibly rare in the province, with only a single species recorded in Alberta. They specialize in collecting floral oils rather than pollen from specific plants.
Note: The highly visible honeybee and the alfalfa leafcutter bee are managed by beekeepers, but they were brought over by European settlers and are not native to North America….
A Community Connected by a Love of Nature Nature Alberta is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing nature appreciation and conservation in Alberta. Through a variety of outreach programs we encourage Albertans to learn about nature, experience nature, and protect nature. We also oversee t...