The state of California is home to more than 1600 bee species, but it lacks an official state bee.
California has a state insect (California dogface butterfly), a state bird (California quail), a state fish (golden trout), a state flower (California golden poppy), a state mushroom (California golden chanterelle), and even a state fossil (saber-toothed cat). (See others)
Earlier this year, the California Native Bee Society (CalNBS) launched a statewide effort for folks to nominate a species "that represents our remarkable native pollinators."
CalNBS will host a public meeting, "Meet Our State Bee Candidates," via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11 to announce and discuss the 15 selected contenders. "After the meeting, voting will open and continue through Sept. 8," announced president Jess Mullins. The meeting will be recorded and posted on the organization's You Tube Channel.
Next step in the process: CalNBS will recommend a state bee to the California State Legislature.
Meet the 15 nominated species:
Bee Family Andrenidae
- Andrena auricoma - Golden-haired Mining Bee
- Andrena blennospermatis - no common name
- Andrena cerasifolii - Cherry Plum Mining Bee
- Perdita californica - California Fairy Bee
Bee Family Apidae
- Bombus vosnesenskii - Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
- Diadasia australis -Cactus Chimney Bee
- Diadasia bituberculata - Bindweed Turret Bee
- Habropoda tristissima - no common name
- Xylocopa sonorina -Valley Carpenter Bee
- Xylocopa tabaniformis ssp. orpiflex - Foothill Carpenter Bee
Bee Family: Halictidae
- Agapostemon subtilior - Fine Striped Sweat Bee
- Augochlorella pomoniella - Peridot Sweat Bee
Bee Family: Megachilidae
- Anthidium maculosum - Spotted Woolcarder Bee
- Megachile fidelis - Horn-faced Leafcutter Bee
- Megachile montivaga - Silver-tailed Petalcutter
See images and more information about the contenders at www.calnbs.org/state-bee. You can register to attend the Zoom meeting on this page, https://calnbs.org/event/monthly-meeting-meet-the-state-bee-candidates/. Or register for the meeting directly at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/K4GuRiAUTHiuNn2J-U9xqA.
The agenda for the Aug. 11 meeting also includes a flower feature and an opportunity to share your images of native bees:
Bee and Plant Share:
- Flower Feature at 6:30 p.m. CalNBS will highlight "a native plant that's been busy with bees this month."
- Bee Share at 6:30 p.m. Native bee photo sharing hosted by Julia Showalter and vice president Kristal Watrous. You can submit your recent images of native bees here. CalNBS will screenshare each, with the photographer discussing the image.
- Speaker at 7 p.m. Jess Mullins, president of CalNBS, will discuss the species nominated for state bee.
CalNBS mission: "to protect California's native bees by fostering sustainable stewardship through research, education and conservation. It meets on the second Tuesday of each month on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Access the website to vote. For more information, contact info@calnbs.org.
Cover image: Megachile fidelis, pictured in Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)