2026 Newsletter Updates

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‍While honey bees get the lion's share of the spotlight, they are actually an imported agricultural species to this area. Southern Ontario is an absolute biodiversity hotspot for wild, native bees, playing host to over 400 unique species. Unlike honey bees, the vast majority of our native bees are solitary, incredibly gentle (most rarely or neversting), and are significantly more efficient at pollinating local gardenflowers, native wildflowers, and backyard vegetable crops. 

The major groups of native bees found in Southern Ontario include:

‍1. Bumble Bees Ontario is home to about 16 species of bumble bees, including the ubiquitous Common Eastern Bumble Bee and the Two-Spotted Bumble Bee.

‍2. Mason and Orchard Bees These robust, fast-flying bees often have a beautiful, metallic dark blue or green sheen. They emerge very early in the spring.

‍3. Sweat Bees  If you spot a tiny, dazzlingly bright metallic-green bee ona flower, you are looking at a sweat bee. Others are smaller and a subtle, darkbronze or black. They get their common name because some species are attractedto the salt in human sweat. 

‍4. Leafcutter Bees  These clever, solitary bees are active in the heat of mid-summer. You will know they are around if you spot perfectly neat, circular holes snipped out of the edges of your rose, lilac, or Virginia creeper leaves.

‍5. Mining Bees  Mining bees are strictly solitary and emerge early in the spring. You might notice them flying low over bare patches of soil or lawn, where they dig neat little underground tunnels to lay their eggs.
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‍6. Squash Bees  These specialized, ground-nesting bees are a fantastic example of co-evolution. They are completely dependent on plants such as pumpkins, squash, zucchini, and gourds.

Over 70% of Ontario's nativebees nest underground. Leaving a small, undisturbed, unmulched patch of sunny,sandy soil gives mining and sweat bees the perfect real estate to raise thenext generation.

Brad Smith makes bee condos that provide sites for leaf cutter and solitary bees. Contact him here if you want to provide spaces for these native pollinators.