Red bees do exist, though they are uncommon and often localized to specific regions. The red coloration typically manifests as dense hair or a pigmented abdomen, rather than the entire body being bright scarlet. Their existence is often overshadowed by more numerous yellow-and-black species. Confirming the identity of these brightly colored insects requires closely examining their anatomy to distinguish them from common red insect look-alikes.
Documented Species of Red Bees
Bees exhibiting red, orange, or reddish-brown coloration are found across several genera worldwide. In North America, the Red-tailed Mining Bee (Andrena erythrogaster) is one example, featuring a bright red abdomen contrasting with a darker head and thorax. This species specializes in willow pollen and is primarily found in the eastern United States and parts of Canada, reaching up to 12 millimeters in length.
In Europe, mining bees like Andrena cingulata display a largely red gaster, or abdomen, in both sexes. Certain species of bumblebees (Bombus) also exhibit red or orange pubescence, which is the dense coat of hair covering their bodies. For instance, Bombus monticola and Bombus lapidarius lapidarius have combinations of black, yellow, and distinct red hair patches. Several scientifically recognized bee species incorporate red hues into their natural color patterns.
The Science Behind Red Pigmentation
The coloration in these bees is determined by specific pigments deposited within their cuticle and hairs. Unlike structural colors, the red, yellow, and orange hues in bees are primarily pigmentary colors. The reddish-orange color often comes from pheomelanin, a variation of melanin found in the hair of certain bumblebees.
Another source of red and yellow pigmentation is carotenoids, compounds which the insect cannot synthesize itself. Carotenoids must be acquired through the insect’s diet, typically by consuming pollen or nectar from specific plants. Once ingested, these pigments are metabolized and incorporated into the body or exoskeleton, contributing to the final coloration. This bright coloring often acts as a form of aposematism, a visual warning signal to predators indicating the insect may be unpalatable or possess a sting.
Common Misidentifications and Look-Alikes
The insect most frequently mistaken for a red bee is the Red Velvet Ant, or Dasymutilla occidentalis, a species of wingless wasp. Females of this species are covered in dense, bright orange-red and black hair, giving them a velvety, ant-like appearance. They are found across the United States and can be up to three-quarters of an inch in length.
Distinguishing the velvet ant from a true bee involves examining the body segments and wings. Female velvet ants are wingless, while nearly all true bees have four distinct wings. Additionally, a bee’s body typically shows a clear, narrow constriction between the thorax and the abdomen, but the velvet ant female has a less distinct separation. The brilliant red color of the velvet ant is a warning signal, indicating a notoriously painful sting that earned it the nickname “cow killer.”