Description
Book SynopsisProvides an overview of native and honey bee biology and offers tools for identifying the most common bees of California and the Western United States. This title highlights bees' ties to our own lives, the food we eat, and the habitat we provide, and suggests ways to support bees in our own backyards.
Trade Review"The book will be appreciated by everyone interested in gardening and those who want to know more about biodiversity. Highly recommended." -- J. M. Gonzalez Choice "Whether you are interested in nature or are an avid Central Coast gardener and recognize the fact that bees are important to the success you have growing fruits, vegetables and flowers, this a guide you'll want to own." -- Robert Walch The Salinas Californian "If you are interested in bees or rely on them to make your garden thrive, this illustrated natural history guidebook is a must-read." -- Bob Walch CoastViews Magazine
Table of ContentsPreface
AN INTRODUCTION TO BEES
What Are Bees?
Importance of Bees
Bee Diversity
Bee Morphology
Bee Life Cycles
Evolution of Social Behavior: Social versus Solitary Bees
Parasites and Robbers
Other Parasites and Predators
Nesting
Pollination Basics
Ecosystem Services and Bees
Conservation of Bees and Other Pollinators
Studying Bees
Identifying Bees
BEE FAMILY AND GENUS ACCOUNTS
Plasterer or Polyester Bees (Family Colletidae)
Yellow-faced Bees or Masked Bees (Genus Hylaeus)
Polyester Bees or Digger Bees (Genus Colletes)
Sweat Bees (Family Halictidae)
Sweat Bees (Genus Halictus)
Green Sweat Bees (Genus Agapostemon)
Sweat Bees (Genus Lasioglossum)
Sweat Bees (Genus Dufourea)
Cuckoo Bees (Genus Sphecodes)
Mining Bees (Family Andrenidae)
Digger Bees or Miner Bees (Genus Andrena)
Panurgine Bees (Genus Panurginus)
Miner Bees (Genus Perdita)
Leaf-cutter Bees or Mason Bees (Family Megachilidae)
Resin Bees or Mason Bees (Genus Dianthidium)
Carder Bees (Genus Anthidium) 93
Large Leaf-cutter Bees (Genus Megachile)
Small Leaf-cutter Bees or Mason Bees (Genus Osmia)
Leaf-cutter Bees (Genus Ashmeadiella)
Mason Bees (Genus Hoplitis)
Mason Bees (Genus Heriades)
Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble,and Honey Bees (Family Apidae)
Honey Bees (Genus Apis)
Squash Bees (Genus Peponapis)
Habropoda Bees (Genus Habropoda)
Cuckoo Bees (Genus Nomada)
Mining Bees (Genus Anthophora)
Bumble Bees (Genus Bombus)
Long-horned Bees or Sunflower Bees (Genus Diadasia)
Long-horned Bees (Genus Melissodes)
Large Carpenter Bees (Genus Xylocopa)
Small Carpenter Bees (Genus Ceratina)
Long-horned Bees (Genus Eucera)
Long-horned Bees (Genus Tetraloniella)
Cuckoo Bees (Genus Triepeolus)
Appendix 1: Bee Families and Genera Found in California
Appendix 2: Key to Females of Genera Included in This Book
Glossary
Resources
Index
