Volunteer community scientists, naturalists, gardeners, farmers, or anyone with a fascination with bees are encouraged to continue to contribute to this scientific effort.
Historically, data on bees was collected via physical specimens, which are expensive to process and store. Now that everyone has a powerful camera in their pocket, community scientists like you can easily photograph and report live bees via iNaturalist Vermont .
Though bees are more difficult to identify than other wildlife such as birds, about 60% of Vermont bee species are identifiable from clear photographs of live bees, and this number may grow as additional field-based traits are discovered and tested. These records can help track the spread of exotic bee species, and help biologists learn more about habitats and locations as well as the phenology (or seasonal patterns, such as spring emergence) of wild bees.
Report a Sighting
We encourage you to upload all of your awesome (or mediocre) bee photos to iNaturalist Vermont a project of the Vermont Atlas of Life. iNaturalist is a social network for naturalists that enables you to record information on species, meet others with similar interests, and learn. But it allows even casual nature observers to snap photos of animals and plants, upload them, and receive a suggested match. Then the iNaturalist network of users helps confirm identifications and help records become “Research Grade,” allowing scientists, including VCE biologists, to use this data for science and conservation.
Once this information is recorded, it is open-source and available to everyone. The best part about iNaturalist Vermont? It is free and available on both computers and mobile devices. Here’s our guide on getting started with iNaturalist .
Annotate a Sighting
The value of iNaturalist observations can easily be increased by adding a number of annotations and observation fields. You can annotate your own observations or those of others. Our recommended fields for bees (when relevant) include “ Interaction->Visited flower of: “, “ Pollen present in corbicula or scopa” , and “ Interaction->Preyed upon by: ”
Check out our Bombus phenology mission as an example of how we use this data.
Netting Bees for Collection or Photographing
The best way to capture a bee that you want to release once photographed is by using a net. When done properly, netting bees is easy and relatively safe. A good net is important and will make the process much easier. We recommend this net from Ecology Supplies.
Netting bees is not always easy. Even experts regularly miss and have bees escape from their nets. Of course practice is the best way to learn—netting anything and everything is a good way to get comfortable (and find cool insects to add iNaturalist Vermont).
A good philosophy when starting netting is to swing at everything, even if you aren’t sure it’s a bee. Swing fast and deliberately and follow through past your target so that it ends up in the end of the net. Additional swirling of the net can force the insects away from the opening. Once you think you have a bug in the net, flip the end of the net around the rim to trap whatever is in the net.
Helpful Videos and Guides
How to Net Collect Wasps and Bee
A Very Handy Bee Manual : How to Catch and Identify Bees and Manage a Collection – A Collective and Ongoing Effort by Those Who Love to Study Bees in North America
I Caught One…Now What?
Once you catch a bee, you can place it in a jar or glass vial to get a closer look. Make sure to have your container(s) set out ahead of time so that you can quickly remove the bees. In general, you will not get stung by a bee unless you physically grab it, so it is usually safe to place your hand and the jar directly inside the net.
Before opening the closed net, snap the net to force the bees to the bottom. Hold the bag closed with one hand and bring the jar up to the opening. Then you can quickly open the net and pin the bees inside the jar against the net. Remove quickly and close the lid.
A Mason Bee (Osmia) in a jar
Photographing Bees
Check out our Bee Photography page for some tips and tricks on getting good bee photos.
