These important field marks show features that are definitive for a genera or sub-set of genera. Click the images to enlarge.

Important fieldmarks

Abdomen Shape

Small carpenter bees (top) have swollen abdomens, compared to Lasioglossum (bottom) and others

Pollen Carrying Hairs on Abdomen

Unique to family Megachilidae (mason bees and other hairier bees)

To identify an unknown bee, choose the most appropriate category below to narrow the options.

Small Carpenter Bees (Ceratina)

A ubiquitous genus during most of the season in Vermont. All are a dull metallic blue with distinctly swollen abdomens. Many have small off-white marks on their face.

Genus Lasioglossum

One species, the Deep-blue Sweat Bee (Lasioglossum coeruleum) is a similar size to small carpenter bees and has a bright blue sheen. Other lasioglossum species are dark or with various other metallic colors. Photo credit © Margarita Lankford

Mason Bees (Osmia)

Mason bees in Vermont vary from small and blue to large and hairy. They will almost always have more hair than the other species in this group. Females carry pollen underside of their abdomen.