You might be surprised by how many species of bees live in Arizona. While some varieties won’t hurt you other than a little sting, others can be a big threat to you and your family. Knowing how to determine which bees in Arizona are dangerous can help you avoid them and stay safe.
These hairy bees can grow up to an inch long. They have black and orange, yellow, or white bands on their body. Bumble bees are pollinating, social bees that live below boards and underground. This species is not predatory, and will only sting if they feel threatened.
These large bees can grow to be about an inch long. They are often confused with bumble bees. However, unlike a bumble bee, a carpenter bee has a shiny, black abdomen. They have large jaws that help them chew through wood. Carpenter bees aren’t usually aggressive, and only females can sting. However, they can put holes in your home’s exterior and other wooden structures.
Cuckoo bees resemble wasps with their thin shape and relatively hairless bodies. They have yellow, black, or red coloring with bands on their abdomen. Although they don’t intentionally pollinate, they do gather nectar.
Honey bees can grow to be around 3/4 of an inch in length. These bees in Arizona have brownish-gold hairs and black stripes on their abdomen. Honey bees are social bees that pollinate. They make their homes in tree hollows and other locations.
Regular honey bees usually aren’t much of a threat. However, Africanized honey bees can be highly aggressive and attack in large swarms. They are among the most dangerous stinging insects in the area.
LEAFCUTTER AND MASON BEES
These bees in Arizona can grow to be roughly 3/4 of an inch long. They have a black body with lighter bands on their abdomen. Both types are solitary and build hives in wood or holes.
Long-horned bees can grow up to 3/4 of an inch long. They have hairy bodies with pale bands. They are pollinating bees that tend to be drawn to certain flowers, such as sunflowers.
Mining bees grow to be about a half-inch long. They have reddish or brown hairs covering their black or metallic body. These bees in Arizona tend to make nests in sandy soil.
Squash bees are roughly the same size as honey bees. They have a brownish coloring and typically nest in the ground. These solitary bees tend to pollinate pumpkins and gourds.
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