Today, May 20, is World Bee Day, and time to "raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today," according to the World Bee Day organizers. "We have been celebrating this day since 2018, thanks to the efforts of the Government of Slovenia with the support of Apimondia, that led the UN General Assembly to declare 20 May as World Bee Day."
"Today bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance," they continue. "This day provides an opportunity for all of us-- whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens-- to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping. "
When most people think of World Bee Day, they think of honey bees. But globally, there are more than 20,000 species of bees, of which some 4000 call the United States "home," and 1600 of those are native to California.
Bees differ dramatically across species, genetics, and even within the exact same colony. They come in many sizes, shapes and colors. Here are a few species we've encountered in Solano, Yolo and Sonoma counties.
Cover image: A Western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)