Bee identification is not as easy as it sounds. To start off, many bees look alike, but also, some bees can look very similar to other insects too, which mimic bees for various reasons. This page will give you some helpful tips for bee identification.

Most humans have a very set idea of what bees look like. For example this cuddly bumblebee would be quite easy to recognise due to its iconic black and yellow stripes.

However, you must remember that there are 25,000 different species of bees, and many are very peculiar in their appearance. The Orchid bee is quite different to the fluffy creature we all know.

There are also many other questions that must be asked, for example: Is it male or female? It is very hard to tell at first glance, but if you see a bee carrying pollen, then it is female, as males do not.

Is it even a bee?

1. The first thing you must check is the wings. Bees have two sets of wings, meaning they have four wings, two on each side. Flies have one set of wings, but just because an insect has four wings, does not mean it is a bee, as wasps have two sets as well.

The movement of an insect can help you identify what it is.

3. Another thing to note is pollen carrying. Many insects carry pollen and nectar, however bees carry it in a particular way. If you see and insect with pollen baskets on its legs - it's a bee.