It may surprise you that there are nearly 3,600 species of bees in the United States.

The most commonly known, revered and domesticated is the honey bee.

You also may not be aware that it was not one of the native species of bees here: European settlers brought them along to help with their success in agriculture and, of course, honey production. And, it is the only colonizing bee species. (Note: bald faced hornets and yellow jackets are not bee species.)

Two larger, and much more noticeable, bee species of which you are probably aware are the bumblebee and carpenter bee. The latter is not well liked because of its destructive boring into exposed wood. Wooden decks, back porches and log homes are “targets” for these wood boring bees. Covering of wood railings, etc., with aluminum would stop these determined borers.

Bumblebees are native species to the U.S. and are quite important. They are excellent pollinators. They, like the honey bee, are experiencing declines and are seeing population reductions.

Another native bee is one I especially encountered in my earlier years. I remember hours and hours of shearing Douglas and Frazer fir trees for my day, and even more time pushing the lawn mower through my dad’s small attempt to sell Christmas trees.

Most of this work was done in the hottest times of the year. As I worked, I would be pestered by small 3/8 of an inch long, shiny, gold/green bees that I called sweat bees. That 9-year-old actually identified them correctly; they are indeed sweat bees.

Very important to note is that our native bees co-evolved with the native vegetation that was found here in this country. One bee species nearly disappeared because it primarily fed on and pollinated the American chestnut tree. The chestnuts near extirpation nearly “did those bees in.” A few specimens have been found recently, casting hope that if we ever find a way to eliminate the chestnut blight, those bees will be able to pollinate them.

Native bees pollinate about 75% of wild and cultivated plants. For those blueberry loving folks, we can thank the bumblebees. They are the chief pollinators able to access the blueberry flowers. Eggplants and kiwis are also pollinated by bee species and not honey bees.

Unfortunately, our native bee species are facing the same challenges of many butterfly species and a variety of birds as well: loss of habitat.

Too many meadows and unmowed fields are disappearing under the crush of warehouses, strip malls and their huge asphalt lots and driveways. Urban sprawl, with houses and townhouses and their accompanying sterile lawns, are chipping away at those beautiful fields of wildflowers. And our continued increase in pesticide and herbicide use just adds to their problems.

For those individuals making decisions on land development proposals, please keep in mind that we need to keep a large number of meadows, pastures, marshy areas and forests, and forest clearings to maintain biodiversity. We can’t just assume that destroying another 100 acres here and there won’t affect anything.

Just remember that so many species are vital to the environment, not just beloved bald eagles, bluebirds or hummingbirds.

Get out there and observe the “buzzing behaviors” as you appreciate the diverse habitats we still have.

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: ____ oak trees can be found in this region. A. red; B. chestnut; C. scarlet; D. scrub; E. all of these.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: Opossums do feign death, but scientists don’t really know if it is a learned behavior because some predators don’t eat dead prey, or if opossums are literally panicked and collapse.

Email Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com