Maryland Native Pollinators
As naturalists, we at Sugar Snap Pea Farm believe in natural farming practices that support and nurture our local ecosystem. Native pollinators play a crucial role in this system, helping to pollinate our native plants and maintain biodiversity.
Maryland is home to over 400 species of native bees, along with various wasps and other pollinators. These fascinating creatures are essential for the health of our forest and the surrounding natural areas.
Below you'll find information about some of the key pollinators you might see around Maryland. Each card provides details about the pollinator's identifying features, ecological importance, habitat, and the flowers they pollinate. Use this guide to help identify these beneficial insects on your expedition into the natural world!
Click the scientific name for more pictures and information about each pollinator.
Each card has an 8x11 PDF that can be downloaded via the button on the card.
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginicaIdentification
Large bee (3/4 to 1 inch long)
Shiny black, hairless abdomen, unlike bumblebees
Sawdust piles below perfectly circular holes drilled into wood surfaces
Males have white facial markings
Credit: etstruckhoff
Flowers Pollinated
Tomatoes
Blueberries
Sunflowers
Wild bergamot
Goldenrod
Tomatoes
Credit: Tomato Geek
Ecological Importance
1
Creates nest holes in wood that can later be used by other wildlife
2
Helps break down dead and decaying wood
3
Very long pollination season
Habitat
Nests in softwood by drilling perfectly circular tunnels
Found in gardens, forests, and parks across Maryland
Active from spring through fall, preferring warm sunny days
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee
Bombus affinisIdentification
Rusty colored patch on mostly yellow abdomen
Thumb tack shaped black spot between wings
Mostly yellow thorax with black rear
Queens do not have rusty patch
Credit: David Wolfe
Flowers Pollinated
New Jersey tea
Milkweed
Purple prairie clover
Jewelweed
Asters
New Jersey tea
Credit: Molly Marquand
Ecological Importance
1
Primary pollinators apples, alfalfa, and much more
2
One of the most efficient natural pollinators
3
Long pollination period, can withstand cold and see in low light
Habitat
Nests underground, prefers soft soil
Uses grass in nests, grasslands are important
Little is know about hibernation habits
Eastern Yellowjacket
Vespula maculifronsIdentification
Medium-sized (1/2 inch) black and yellow wasp
Has thicker black bands than other yellowjackets
Color patterns differ between queens, workers, and males
Smooth, not fuzzy body
Credit: Johnny N. Dell
Flowers Pollinated
Goldenrod
Asters
Late summer wildflowers
Queen Anne's lace
Fruit trees
Goldenrod
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Credit: Letícia Almeida
Ecological Importance
1
Controls garden pests by hunting caterpillars and flies
2
Helps break down fallen fruit and carrion
3
Contributes to natural decomposition cycles
Habitat
Typically nests underground in abandoned rodent burrows
Common in forests, meadows, gardens, and parks
Found throughout Maryland
Southern Yellowjacket
Vespula squamosaIdentification
Queens are larger and more orange in color
Workers have distinctive yellow stripes on the upper thorax
Slightly larger than Eastern yellowjackets
Has thin black bands
Credit: Jesse Christopherson
Flowers Pollinated
Late wildflowers
Goldenrod
Asters
Fruit trees
Garden crops
Late wildflowers
Credit: Helgion
Ecological Importance
1
Preys on agricultural and garden pests
2
Hunts other insects including flies and caterpillars
3
May take over nests of other yellowjacket species
Habitat
Typically builds nests underground
Often found in disturbed areas like yards, parks, and roadsides
Prefers warmer climates, common in eastern Maryland
Bald-Faced Hornet
Dolichovespula maculataIdentification
Medium to large (5/8 to 3/4 inch) black and white wasp
Distinctive white face ('bald-faced')
Black body with white markings on face, thorax, and abdomen tip
Not a true hornet - actually a type of yellowjacket
Credit: David Cappaert
Flowers Pollinated
Goldenrod
Late wildflowers
Joe-pye weed
Fruit trees
Flowering shrubs
Goldenrod
Credit: Letícia Almeida
Ecological Importance
1
Controls pest insect populations
2
Hunts and eats flies, caterpillars, and yellowjackets
3
Creates elaborate paper nests that shelter other insects after abandonment
Habitat
Builds large paper nests above ground in trees and shrubs
Found in woodlands, meadows, and suburban areas
Widespread across Maryland
Sweat Bee
Family HalictidaeIdentification
Small bees (1/4 to 1/2 inch)
Many species have metallic green red, purple, or blue bodies
Some species are black with yellow markings
Attracted to human sweat for the salt
Credit: Ecoshield Pest
Flowers Pollinated
Native wildflowers
Sunflowers
Fruit trees
Garden crops
Alfalfa
Native wildflowers
Credit: Keystone Wildflowers
Ecological Importance
1
Generalist pollinator
2
Has learned how to access different flower types
3
Helps improve soil quality through nest-building
Habitat
Most nest underground in bare soil exposed to sun
Some species nest in rotting wood
Found in gardens, meadows, and natural areas across Maryland
Squash Bee
Subgenus PeponapisIdentification
Medium-sized bee (about 1/2 inch)
Black and yellow striped abdomen
Bulkier build than honey bees
Active at dawn when squash flowers open, asleep in flowers by noon
Credit: Alica Morgan
Flowers Pollinated
Pumpkins
Squash
Zucchini
Gourds
Other cucurbits
Pumpkins
Credit: Yanely Castro
Ecological Importance
1
Specialized pollinator essential for squash production
2
Creates tunnels in soil that aerate and improve soil health
3
Supports biodiversity in garden ecosystems
Habitat
Nests in the ground, often right under squash plants
Active very early in the morning when squash flowers open
Prefer non-tilled soil, tilling can hurt them
Mining Bee
Genus AndrenaIdentification
Small to medium-sized bees (1/4 to 1/2 inch)
Usually dark colored (black or reddish)
Many have facial 'mustaches' below antennae
Often seen in early spring when few other bees are active
Credit: Encyclopedia Britannica
Flowers Pollinated
Spring beauty
Fruit trees
Blueberries
Violets and bloodroot
Early spring wildflowers
Spring beauty
Credit: Fredlyfish4
Ecological Importance
1
Aerates soil through nest building
2
Creates habitat for other insects
3
First bees active in early spring, only active for a few weeks
Habitat
Nests in the ground in sandy or well-drained soils
Creates small mounds with center holes where females dig
Common in gardens, meadows, and woodland edges
Mason Bee
Genus OsmiaIdentification
Small to medium-sized bees (3/8 to 5/8 inch)
Often metallic blue or green in color
Carries pollen on special hairs under the abdomen
Active in early spring when fruit trees bloom
Credit: Encyclopedia Britannica
Flowers Pollinated
Fruit trees
Blueberries
Early spring wildflowers
Native wildflowers
Berry plants
Fruit trees
Credit: photos-public-domain.com
Ecological Importance
1
Extremely efficient pollinators (better than honey bees)
2
Creates habitat for other insects in abandoned nests
3
Helps decompose dead plant material
Habitat
Nests in hollow reeds, stems, or existing holes in wood
Does not drill holes but uses pre-existing cavities
Uses mud or other "masonry" products in nest construction
Cuckoo Bumble Bees
Subgenus PsithyrusIdentification
Much bigger than other social bumble bees
Abdomen comes to more of a point
Pointier mandible and longer stinger
Most species are a lighter yellow to white color
Credit: Pamela Cowart-Rickman
Flowers Pollinated
Bumble bee nest
Parasite Species
Benefit Unknown
Bumble bee nest
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Credit: Ehrlich
Ecological Importance
1
Pollinates but not effective
2
Lays eggs in nest of other bumble bees
3
May use scent of host bee to access nest
4
Does not always kill host queen
Habitat
Other bumble bee nests
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera (Non-native)Identification
Medium-sized bee (1/2 inch)
Golden brown with black stripes on abdomen
Hairy body with pollen baskets on hind legs
Lives in large colonies with thousands of workers
Credit: Charlotte Anderson
Flowers Pollinated
Clover
Fruit trees
Garden crops
Goldenrod
Asters
Clover
Credit: David Illig
Ecological Importance
1
Produces honey and beeswax
2
Major commercial crop pollinator
3
Not native to Maryland
Habitat
Lives in hives (wild or managed)
Prefers cavities like hollow trees in the wild
Found throughout Maryland in both natural and agricultural areas
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