61. Other pollinator bee species:

A Mason bee at its home entrance

Other pollinator bee species.

When we think of pollinators, honeybees often come to mind first—but they are just one part of a much broader pollination network. In fact, the honeybee is not the only insect responsible for pollination. The natural world includes over 20,000 species of bees, most of which do not produce honey or live in large colonies like the familiar Apis mellifera.

The majority of these bee species are solitary. Unlike honeybees or bumblebees, solitary bees live and work alone. Each female builds her own nest, gathers pollen and nectar, and raises her young without the help of a hive or workers. These bees have a wide range of lifestyles and nesting habits. Some live in underground burrows, digging into soft soil to create tunnels. Others find shelter in hollow plant stems, dead wood, or even the cracks in old walls or trees. Their diverse behaviors make them incredibly adaptive and important pollinators across different ecosystems.

Of the thousands of bee species and their lifestyles, we will look at just two to get an idea of their background. Example: the mining bee and the mason bee, each with distinct nesting habits and life cycles.

Minor Bee

Minor Bee near its home

Mining Bees (Andrena spp.)

Mining bees are solitary bees that nest in burrows underground, often in sandy or loose soil. They are commonly found in open gardens, grassy fields, and even along footpaths where the soil is bare. The female digs a vertical tunnel with branching chambers, each holding a pollen ball and a single egg. After laying her eggs, she seals the tunnel and leaves. The larvae hatch, feed on the pollen and develop over weeks. They usually overwinter as pupae and emerge as adults in early spring. This lifestyle is very different from the honeybees indeed.

Mason Bee

Mason Bees (Osmia spp.)

Mason bees nest in hollow plant stems, cracks in wood, or pre-existing holes. They prefer sunny spots and are often encouraged by beekeepers using bee hotels. The female collects mud to seal off sections within the cavity, creating separate brood cells. Each cell contains pollen, nectar, and one egg. The entire life cycle—from egg to adult—happens inside these cells, with the new bees emerging the following spring.

Both types of bees are gentle, excellent pollinators, and pose little threat to humans. Supporting them means preserving bare soil patches and leaving hollow stems intact during the winter months.

In addition to bees, other insects like butterflies, moths, and wasps also contribute significantly to pollination. Butterflies are drawn to brightly coloured flowers and help transfer pollen as they feed on nectar. Wasps, although less hairy than bees, still assist in pollination when they visit flowers for nectar or prey.

Together, this wide variety of pollinators ensures the health and reproduction of countless flowering plants, supporting biodiversity and food production. Encouraging a pollinator-friendly environment means supporting all these species—not just honeybees.

Assisting solitary bees

As a helpful citizen of the world, assisting solitary bees to thrive in your garden or local area is both simple and rewarding. Perhaps the most effective way to support them is by providing suitable nesting habitats. Many solitary bees, like mason bees or leafcutter bees, nest in narrow cavities. You can assist them by installing bee hotels—bundles of hollow stems, bamboo, or drilled wooden blocks placed in a sunny, sheltered spot. These hotels mimic natural nesting spaces and can attract a variety of solitary bee species.

For ground-nesting bees like mining bees, it helps to leave small patches of bare soil in undisturbed areas of your garden. Avoid over-mulching or compacting soil, and keep pesticides away from these spaces.

Keep in mind that you may not always see these bees actively using what you've provided. Their presence can be subtle, and much of their activity happens early in the day or seasonally. Still, just knowing you’ve made a positive impact—even if small—offers a sense of satisfaction.

By creating space for these tiny pollinators, you're supporting biodiversity and making room for wild creatures to share our planet. It’s a quiet, meaningful way to give back to nature—and it’s something to feel genuinely good about.