Bees of Malcolmson Eco-Park

Ontario is home to over 300 species of wild bees, many of which likely inhabit Niagara’s diverse habitats like forests, meadows, wetlands, and agricultural areas. Most wild bees are solitary and non-aggressive, rarely stinging, while bumblebees can sting but are generally docile.

How can I attract more wild bees to my garden?

  • Plant Native and Pollinator-Friendly Plants: Choose plants that bloom at different times to provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Native plants like New England aster are particularly effective. Bees are attracted to bright colors, especially purples, blues, and yellows, and prefer singlebloom flowers like those in the mint family.
  • Create a Diverse Garden: Include a variety of flower shapes and scents to attract different pollinators. Group plants together rather than scattering them.
  • Reduce Lawn Area and Pesticides: Replace some lawn with gardens and avoid using pesticides, which can harm bees.
  • Provide Nest Sites: Leave some areas of soil uncovered for ground-nesting bees and retain dead stems for twig-nesting bees.
Bees of Southern Ontario

Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Though originally from Europe, honeybees are now widely established in Ontario and play a key role in agriculture, particularly in pollination.

Bumblebees (Genus: Bombus)
Several species of bumblebees are native to Southern Ontario, including:

  • Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens)
  • Northern Amber Bumblebee (Bombus borealis)
  • Carpenter Bumblebee (Bombus carpenteri)
  • Black-and-yellow Bumblebee (Bombus ternarius)

Leafcutter Bees (Genus: Megachile)
These solitary bees are known for cutting leaves and using them to construct their nests.

Sweat Bees (Family: Halictidae)
These small, often metallic-colored bees are important pollinators and include:

  • Halictus ligatus
  • Agapostemon virescens

Mining Bees (Genus: Andrena)
Mining bees are solitary and are some of the first bees to emerge in the spring.

  • Andrena wilkella
  • Andrena fulva

Small Carpenter Bees (Genus: Ceratina)
These solitary bees nest in hollow plant stems and are important for pollination.

Long-Horned Bees (Genus: Melissodes)
Known for their long antennae, these bees are key pollinators for wildflowers.

Cuckoo Bees (Genus: Nomada)
These bees do not make their own nests but instead parasitize the nests of other bees.

Tadpole Bees (Genus: Dialictus)
These bees are typically small and are found in a variety of habitats.