Bees in Maine: identification guide and best places to start
Yes, bees are common across Maine from spring through fall. Start in your own backyard or any garden with flowering plants - bumblebees and honey bees are the most likely you'll see. This guide covers where to look, when to go, and how to tell them apart from wasps and flies.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Mountain Mason Bee 路 Kyle Rossner CC BY
Osmia laticeps 路 Kyle Rossner CC BY
Tricolored Bumble Bee 路 Public domain CC0
- 8
- species recorded
- 0
- GBIF records
- July, August, June
- peak months
Verified species, source iNaturalist
72 types of bees recorded in Maine
72 bee species have a verified observation record in Maine across bees (clade Anthophila), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The 50 most frequently recorded are shown below.
6 of the 50 shown are recorded as introduced to Maine rather than native.
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Also recorded in Maine
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Pure Green Sweat beeAugochlora pura | Augochlora pura | 178 |
| 14 | Orange-legged Furrow BeeHalictus rubicundus | Halictus rubicundus | 173 |
| 15 | Golden Sweat BeeAugochlorella aurata | Augochlorella aurata | 156 |
| 16 | European Woolcarder BeeIntroducedAnthidium manicatum | Anthidium manicatum | 150 |
| 17 | Hawthorn Mining BeeAndrena crataegi | Andrena crataegi | 123 |
| 18 | Wilke's Mining BeeIntroducedAndrena wilkella | Andrena wilkella | 115 |
| 19 | Hairy-banded Mining BeeAndrena hirticincta | Andrena hirticincta | 99 |
| 20 | Confusing Furrow BeeHalictus confusus | Halictus confusus | 79 |
| 21 | Unequal Cellophane BeeColletes inaequalis | Colletes inaequalis | 77 |
| 22 | Northeastern Sweat BeeAugochloropsis viridula | Augochloropsis viridula | 69 |
| 23 | Modest Masked BeeHylaeus modestus | Hylaeus modestus | 66 |
| 24 | Blue Orchard BeeOsmia lignaria | Osmia lignaria | 63 |
| 25 | Cloudy-winged Mining BeeAndrena nubecula | Andrena nubecula | 60 |
| 26 | broad-handed leafcutter beeMegachile latimanus | Megachile latimanus | 58 |
| 27 | Dunning's MinerAndrena dunningi | Andrena dunningi | 55 |
| 28 | Drury's Long-horned BeeMelissodes druriellus | Melissodes druriellus | 55 |
| 29 | Neighborly Mining BeeAndrena vicina | Andrena vicina | 53 |
| 30 | Yellowish Cuckoo Bumble beeBombus flavidus | Bombus flavidus | 50 |
| 31 | Carlin's Mining BeeAndrena carlini | Andrena carlini | 49 |
| 32 | Frigid Mining BeeAndrena frigida | Andrena frigida | 48 |
| 33 | Black-and-gray Leafcutter BeeMegachile melanophaea | Megachile melanophaea | 47 |
| 34 | Leathery Sweat BeeLasioglossum coriaceum | Lasioglossum coriaceum | 44 |
| 35 | Black-and-yellow Nomad BeeNomada luteoloides | Nomada luteoloides | 42 |
| 36 | White-banded Sweat BeeLasioglossum leucozonium | Lasioglossum leucozonium | 40 |
| 37 | Milwaukee Mining BeeAndrena milwaukeensis | Andrena milwaukeensis | 39 |
| 38 | Spurred CeratinaCeratina calcarata | Ceratina calcarata | 38 |
| 39 | Valiant Long-horned BeeMelissodes illatus | Melissodes illatus | 37 |
| 40 | Sculptured Resin BeeIntroducedMegachile sculpturalis | Megachile sculpturalis | 35 |
| 41 | Unarmed Leafcutter BeeMegachile inermis | Megachile inermis | 35 |
| 42 | Spotted Nomad BeeNomada maculata | Nomada maculata | 32 |
| 43 | Pruinose Squash BeeXenoglossa pruinosa | Xenoglossa pruinosa | 32 |
| 44 | Oblong Woolcarder BeeIntroducedAnthidium oblongatum | Anthidium oblongatum | 30 |
| 45 | Spine-shouldered Cellophane BeeColletes simulans | Colletes simulans | 29 |
| 46 | Clark's Mining BeeAndrena clarkella | Andrena clarkella | 29 |
| 47 | Sunflower Mining BeeAndrena helianthi | Andrena helianthi | 24 |
| 48 | Horn-faced Mason BeeIntroducedOsmia cornifrons | Osmia cornifrons | 23 |
| 49 | Silky Striped Sweat BeeAgapostemon sericeus | Agapostemon sericeus | 23 |
| 50 | Notch-backed Cellophane-cuckoo BeeEpeolus scutellaris | Epeolus scutellaris | 23 |
Plus 22 more established bees species beyond the top 50. And 97 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
21,961 verified observations on iNaturalist of bee have been recorded in Maine, most often in July, August, June.
When bee are recorded in Maine
Yes, bees are common across Maine from spring through fall. Start in your own backyard or any garden with flowering plants - bumblebees and honey bees are the most likely you'll see. This guide covers where to look, when to go, and how to tell them apart from wasps and flies.
1. Where are you most likely to notice bees in Maine?
Bees are everywhere in Maine, but you'll have the best odds in sunny spots with plenty of flowers. Backyard gardens, meadows, roadsides, and edges of woodlands are prime locations. Look for them on clover, dandelions, goldenrod, and asters. If you have a vegetable garden, squash bees and bumblebees will be regular visitors. Even in urban areas like Portland, group gardens and parks host a surprising variety.
2. What season or weather patterns help the most?
Bees are active from late March (when willows and maple flowers appear) through October. Peak season is June to August. They need warm temperatures above 55掳F and calm winds. Sunny days bring out the most activity. After a rain, bees may take a few hours to warm up. Early morning and late afternoon can be good for seeing bees returning to nests, but midday heat is when they're most numerous on flowers.
3. Simple ID cues that separate bees from lookalikes
The easiest trick: bees are fuzzy, while wasps and flies are smooth and shiny. Bees also have flat, wide hind legs for carrying pollen (look for orange or yellow clumps). Most bees are useful and round-bodied. In Maine, bumblebees are large and loud, honey bees are smaller with golden stripes, and sweat bees are tiny metallic green. Wasps have narrow waists and a smooth, pinched look.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. Common bee species you can spot in Maine
You'll likely run into the Eastern bumble bee (black with yellow thorax), the honey bee (slender, amber bands), and the small metallic green sweat bee. Other frequent visitors: the leafcutter bee (carries leaf pieces to its nest) and the mining bee (nests in bare soil in spring). Check out ourbees animal hubfor more detailed ID guides and photos of each species.
5. Best places for bee watching in Maine
For a dedicated outing, visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay or the wildflower meadows at Acadia National Park. The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust preserves are great for native bees. Even your own backyard can be a hotspot if you plant native flowers. For a full list of Maine habitats, see ourMaine wildlife guide.
6. How to attract bees to your Maine yard
Plant a mix of early and late bloomers: crocus, willow, and maple for spring; clover, coneflower, and bee balm for summer; goldenrod and aster for fall. Leave some bare ground for ground-nesting bees and a shallow water source with stones. Avoid pesticides. Native plants like milkweed and black-eyed Susan are particularly effective. A single patch can draw in dozens of bees daily.
7. Bees vs. wasps: quick comparison for Maine
If it's fuzzy, it's a bee. Wasps are smooth with narrow waists. Bees are vegetarian (pollen and nectar), while wasps hunt other insects and scavenge. In Maine, yellowjackets are common wasps that often bother picnics; bees generally ignore people unless provoked. Bumblebees may buzz loudly but rarely sting unless squeezed. For more bee-friendly tips, check ourbee identification resources.
8. Bee safety and observation tips
Bees are not aggressive when foraging. Move slowly, avoid swatting, and keep dogs on leash near flowers. Don't disturb nests in the ground or in hollow trees. If a bee lands on you, stay still and blow gently to encourage it to leave. For kids, teach them to watch from a few feet away. A good pair of close-focus binoculars can help you see pollen baskets without getting too close.
9. Show your bee love with wildlife-themed gear
After a day of spotting, you can bring the buzz home. OurHoney Bee in Flight Women's T-Shirtis a favorite for its detailed print. Need a summer cap? TheCustom Embroidery Bee Baseball Capis a practical choice. For gifts, theLet It Bee Honey Bee Graphic Teeis affordable and fun. And don't forget ourwildlife stickersto tag your gear or notebook. All proceeds support bee conservation.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Honey Bee Tumbler Wrap Laser Svg 20oz Laser Engraved Honeycomb Tumbler Wrap Floral 20 oz Tumbler Laser File Svg Design Laser Engraving Svg
A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
Plan your trip
Best time to see bee in Maine: July, August, June
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your bee sighting in Maine
There are no verified bee records for Maine, which fits how uncommon they are here. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Maine
- Acadia National Park 路 Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching 路 Find hotels
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail 路 Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching 路 Find hotels
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument 路 Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching 路 Find hotels
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site 路 Wildlife Watching 路 Find hotels
- Frances Perkins National Monument 路 Find hotels
- Maine Acadian Culture 路 Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
What bee species live in Maine?+
Bees are everywhere in Maine, but you'll have the best odds in sunny spots with plenty of flowers. Backyard gardens, meadows, roadsides, and edges of woodlands are prime locations. Look for them on clover, dandelions, goldenrod, and asters. If you have a vegetable garden, squash bees and bumblebees will be regular visitors. Even in urban areas like Portland, group gardens and parks host a surprising variety.
Where can you see bees in Maine?+
Bees are everywhere in Maine, but you'll have the best odds in sunny spots with plenty of flowers. Backyard gardens, meadows, roadsides, and edges of woodlands are prime locations. Look for them on clover, dandelions, goldenrod, and asters. If you have a vegetable garden, squash bees and bumblebees will be regular visitors. Even in urban areas like Portland, group gardens and parks host a surprising variety.
When is the best time to see bees in Maine?+
Bees are everywhere in Maine, but you'll have the best odds in sunny spots with plenty of flowers. Backyard gardens, meadows, roadsides, and edges of woodlands are prime locations. Look for them on clover, dandelions, goldenrod, and asters. If you have a vegetable garden, squash bees and bumblebees will be regular visitors. Even in urban areas like Portland, group gardens and parks host a surprising variety.