Vermont Wild Bee Survey's Journal

Now that the forest is fully leafed out, there isn’t much bee activity deep in the woods, though there are a couple plants and their specialists that make “beeing” in northern hardwoods interesting. Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) seems perfectly happy in full shade, though is perhaps most abundant along wooded road edges, where it often co-occurs with Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea).
Both of these late-spring flowers host Mining Bee species not likely to be found anywhere else, and possibly identifiable from good photos, though the Golden Alexander specialist was recently split into two cryptic species.

https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vtbees/andrena-ziziae/
https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vtbees/andrena-geranii/

Obviously lots of bees outside the forest right now, one in particular to look for is the Georgia Mason Bee (Osmia georgica), a rare, relatively distinctive specialist on Asteraceae - look for a medium-sized blue bee on dandelions or fleabane.

https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vtbees/osmia-georgica/

As you have probably figured out by now, there aren’t a lot of bees that are easy to identify. There are, however, a couple common species that can be easily recognized once you know what to look for.

The Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee (Agapostemon virescens) is probably the easiest bee in VT to identify. The females are big and bright green with a black and white-striped abdomen (we don’t have to worry about males for a few more months).
https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vtbees/agapostemon-virescens/

Wilke's Mining Bee (Andrena wilkella) is not nearly as distinctive, but is common and often found in many human-modified landscapes. It is an introduced species that is associated with non-native legumes and one of the only midsummer Mining Bees (Genus Andrena).
https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vtbees/andrena-wilkella/

As summer really sets in, there seems to be lull in bee diversity in many habitats. Plenty of generalists and introduced species to keep us busy, but the spring ephemerals and flowering shrubs are winding down and the fall asteraceae specialists are still a ways off. There are, however, several rare specialists that likely require dedicated searching to find.

The Loosestrife Bees (genus Macropis) are probably the rarest genera known from VT, but their host plants, all in the genus Lysimachia, are relatively common and widespread. Whorled Loosestrife (L. quadrifolia) is blooming now, in dry and/or sandy areas and the other species will follow soon and continue through early August. Huge kudos to anyone who photographs one of these fascinating bees!

More details on the target bees here:
https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vtbees/macropis/

While some bees are plant specialists, others are habitat specialists and likely plant generalists. One good example of this is the Eastern Calliopsis Bee (Calliopsis adreniformis). This is a tiny, very odd bee that is most at home in disturbed and slightly sandy areas with lots of small weeds. Late June through July is the time to find this species and its obligate parasite the Calliopsis Cuckoo Nomad Bee (Holcopasites calliopsidis). Both are tiny and easy to overlook - details, photos, and tips on finding them here: https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vtbees/calliopsis/