Hear the buzz on native bees in Mundelein

Lake-to-Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones is hosting a discussion on native bees from 7:15-8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein.

“Native Bees: Habitat Needs and How You Can Help” will be presented by Rebecca Tonietto, plant biology and conservation Ph.D. student. She will discuss the natural history of native bee species and her work in the region, which includes evaluating the best habitats for native bees.

To do this, she has investigated bee communities of green roofs and city parks in urban environments, and is currently evaluating the effects of prairie restoration on native bee communities.

No fee or registration is required.

Many are familiar with bumblebees and honeybees, but Illinois has 500 species of native bees, including metallic green and blue bees that look nothing like the fuzzy yellow and black icons we have all come to know and love.

Did you know:

Ÿ The majority of native bees are solitary and do not live in hives?

Ÿ Only female bees have stingers?

Ÿ Female bees create nests and collect pollen, not the males?

Ÿ There are 12 species of bumblebees in Illinois, and you can tell them apart by their striped abdomens?

Ÿ There are many species of small “sweat bees” that like to lick the sweat off our skin or, in essence, use us like a salt lick?

For details about the program, contact Rick Sanders, (847) 940-9482 or RickAtHome@mitec.com, or visit [URL]http://www.wildones.org/chapters/lake2prairie/;http://www.wildones.org/chapters/lake2prairie/[URL].

Lake-to-Prairie is a chapter of Wild Ones, a national not-for-profit organization that promotes the use of native plants in landscapes.

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