Bees are flying insects that are found all over the world. There are over twelve thousand different species of bees, but only two thousand of these occur in north America.

    

Bees can be divided into two groups according to their living styles. Solitary bees live alone. On the other hand, social bees, like ants, live in groups. Only about six hundred species are of this social category.

    

Social bees are interesting because in their "society" there are different classes of bees. Each class performs a different task. Queen bees lay eggs. Workers are underdeveloped females. They work in the hive but never reproduce. Males do not work; their only task is to mate with the queen.

    

Solitary bees occur as males and females. Every female makes a nest in the ground where she will lay her eggs. The nest consists of many cells. After an egg is laid and put in a cell, the female also adds some pollen and honey for food. Then she seals the cell. The females then go elsewhere to build a new nest or die. When the eggs hatch, the larva will feed on the pollen and honey which the female left for them.