Bees in New Hampshire: Identification Guide and Best Places to Start
Yes, New Hampshire hosts over 250 bee species. Start your search in sunny, flower-rich spots like gardens, meadows, and forest edges from April to September. Focus on bumblebees and solitary bees on wildflowers. Use this guide to spot, identify, and appreciate them.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
water-lily sweat bee · Steven Lamonde CC BY
Clark's Mining Bee · Peter Nathaniel Boyer CC BY
Golden Northern Bumble Bee · Michael Nerrie CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 0
- GBIF records
- July, August, June
- peak months
Bees aren't established in New Hampshire, so you might be wondering:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
64 types of bees recorded in New Hampshire
64 bee species have a verified observation record in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire rather than native.
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Also recorded in New Hampshire
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Wilke's Mining BeeIntroducedAndrena wilkella | Andrena wilkella | 133 |
| 14 | Golden Sweat BeeAugochlorella aurata | Augochlorella aurata | 128 |
| 15 | Hawthorn Mining BeeAndrena crataegi | Andrena crataegi | 99 |
| 16 | Northern Amber Bumble BeeNativeBombus borealis | Bombus borealis | 92 |
| 17 | European Woolcarder BeeIntroducedAnthidium manicatum | Anthidium manicatum | 89 |
| 18 | Pruinose Squash BeeNativeXenoglossa pruinosa | Xenoglossa pruinosa | 82 |
| 19 | Hairy-banded Mining BeeAndrena hirticincta | Andrena hirticincta | 79 |
| 20 | Northeastern Sweat BeeAugochloropsis viridula | Augochloropsis viridula | 78 |
| 21 | Unequal Cellophane BeeColletes inaequalis | Colletes inaequalis | 70 |
| 22 | Orange-legged Furrow BeeHalictus rubicundus | Halictus rubicundus | 65 |
| 23 | Modest Masked BeeHylaeus modestus | Hylaeus modestus | 60 |
| 24 | Spurred CeratinaCeratina calcarata | Ceratina calcarata | 57 |
| 25 | Neighborly Mining BeeAndrena vicina | Andrena vicina | 55 |
| 26 | Frigid Mining BeeAndrena frigida | Andrena frigida | 55 |
| 27 | Confusing Furrow BeeHalictus confusus | Halictus confusus | 52 |
| 28 | Milwaukee Mining BeeAndrena milwaukeensis | Andrena milwaukeensis | 48 |
| 29 | Two-spotted Longhorn BeeNativeMelissodes bimaculatus | Melissodes bimaculatus | 48 |
| 30 | Oblong Woolcarder BeeIntroducedAnthidium oblongatum | Anthidium oblongatum | 37 |
| 31 | Sculptured Resin BeeIntroducedMegachile sculpturalis | Megachile sculpturalis | 36 |
| 32 | Blueberry Cellophane BeeNativeColletes validus | Colletes validus | 36 |
| 33 | Spotted Nomad BeeNomada maculata | Nomada maculata | 35 |
| 34 | Leathery Sweat BeeLasioglossum coriaceum | Lasioglossum coriaceum | 34 |
| 35 | Bufflehead Mason BeeOsmia bucephala | Osmia bucephala | 30 |
| 36 | Flat-tailed Leafcutter BeeMegachile mendica | Megachile mendica | 30 |
| 37 | broad-handed leafcutter beeMegachile latimanus | Megachile latimanus | 30 |
| 38 | Silky Striped Sweat BeeAgapostemon sericeus | Agapostemon sericeus | 28 |
| 39 | Carlin's Mining BeeAndrena carlini | Andrena carlini | 28 |
| 40 | Golden Northern Bumble BeeNativeBombus fervidus | Bombus fervidus | 26 |
| 41 | Cloudy-winged Mining BeeAndrena nubecula | Andrena nubecula | 25 |
| 42 | Clark's Mining BeeAndrena clarkella | Andrena clarkella | 24 |
| 43 | Yellowish Cuckoo Bumble beeBombus flavidus | Bombus flavidus | 22 |
| 44 | Bradley's Mining BeeAndrena bradleyi | Andrena bradleyi | 21 |
| 45 | Dark-veined Longhorn BeeNativeMelissodes trinodis | Melissodes trinodis | 20 |
| 46 | Drury's Long-horned BeeMelissodes druriellus | Melissodes druriellus | 20 |
| 47 | Horn-faced Mason BeeIntroducedOsmia cornifrons | Osmia cornifrons | 19 |
| 48 | Nason's Mining BeeAndrena nasonii | Andrena nasonii | 19 |
| 49 | Miserable Mining BeeAndrena miserabilis | Andrena miserabilis | 18 |
| 50 | Orange-tipped Wood-diggerAnthophora terminalis | Anthophora terminalis | 17 |
Plus 14 more established bees species beyond the top 50. And 98 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
14,506 verified observations on iNaturalist of bee have been recorded in New Hampshire, most often in July, August, June.
When bee are recorded in New Hampshire
Yes, New Hampshire hosts over 250 bee species. Start your search in sunny, flower-rich spots like gardens, meadows, and forest edges from April to September. Focus on bumblebees and solitary bees on wildflowers. Use this guide to spot, identify, and appreciate them.
Where Are People Most Likely to Notice Bees in New Hampshire?
Bees turn up where flowers bloom. Backyard gardens with natives like aster and goldenrod are hotspots. Meadows, roadsides, and forest clearings also work well. For more New Hampshire spotting tips, see theNew Hampshire wildlife page. To learn about bee species, visit thebee hub.
In New Hampshire, bees sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where people are most likely to notice them. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
What Season or Weather Patterns Help for Bee Spotting?
Bees become active once spring temperatures reach 50°F, usually by April. Peak activity runs May through August on warm, calm, sunny days. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best odds. Rain and heavy clouds keep them hidden. For timing specifics, check thebee hubagain.
Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around what season or weather patterns help, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in New Hampshire. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
How to Identify Bees in New Hampshire: Simple ID Cues
Most local bees fall into three groups: bumblebees (large, fuzzy, black and yellow), honey bees (smaller, slim, amber), and solitary bees (tiny, often metallic or dark). Look for hairy bodies, pollen baskets on hind legs, and a stout waist. Wasps look smooth and pinched in the middle.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
What Are Common Lookalikes and How Do You Tell Them Apart?
Yellowjackets, hornets, and hover flies mimic bees. Focus on body shape: bees are hairy and stout, wasps are smooth with a narrow waist. Hover flies have large eyes and one pair of wings. Watch behavior; bees move slowly from flower to flower, while wasps dart erratically.
What Should You Know About Bee Behavior in New Hampshire?
Most New Hampshire bees are solitary ground nesters. Bumblebees use old rodent holes or grass clumps. Honey bees live in managed hives. Avoid disturbing nests; stings are rare if you stay calm. Female bees can sting, but they focus on foraging, not defense.
Show Your Bee Support with Easy Street Markets Gear
After a day of spotting, bring your appreciation home. Ourbee stickersare a quick way to show support. For more, check out these picks:
Honey Bee in Flight Women's T-Shirt
A fitted crew neck tee featuring a honey bee in flight. Dye sublimation print stays bright. Perfect for bee lovers.Check Price and Availability
Let It Bee Honey Bee Graphic Tee
A casual graphic tee with a positive message. Relaxed fit for everyday wear.Check Price and Availability
Honey Bee Tumbler Wrap Laser Svg 20oz
A digital design for crafting your own bee-themed tumbler. Great for DIY projects.Check Price and Availability
Custom Embroidery Bee Baseball Cap
A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
Frequently Asked Questions About Bees in New Hampshire
**What is the most common bee in New Hampshire?** The eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) is widespread. **Are honey bees native?** No, honey bees are introduced. **How can I attract bees?** Plant native wildflowers, avoid pesticides, and leave bare soil for nesters. For more, see theNew Hampshire wildlife page.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Plan your trip
Best time to see bee in New Hampshire: July, August, June
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your bee sighting in New Hampshire
There are no verified bee records for New Hampshire, which fits how uncommon they are here. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
What bee species live in New Hampshire?+
Bees turn up where flowers bloom. Backyard gardens with natives like aster and goldenrod are hotspots. Meadows, roadsides, and forest clearings also work well. For more New Hampshire spotting tips, see theNew Hampshire wildlife page. To learn about bee species, visit thebee hub. In New Hampshire, bees sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where people are most likely to notice them. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where can you see bees in New Hampshire?+
Bees turn up where flowers bloom. Backyard gardens with natives like aster and goldenrod are hotspots. Meadows, roadsides, and forest clearings also work well. For more New Hampshire spotting tips, see theNew Hampshire wildlife page. To learn about bee species, visit thebee hub. In New Hampshire, bees sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where people are most likely to notice them. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
When is the best time to see bees in New Hampshire?+
Bees turn up where flowers bloom. Backyard gardens with natives like aster and goldenrod are hotspots. Meadows, roadsides, and forest clearings also work well. For more New Hampshire spotting tips, see theNew Hampshire wildlife page. To learn about bee species, visit thebee hub. In New Hampshire, bees sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where people are most likely to notice them. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.