URL: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eesc/quick-background-mid-atlantic-regions-native-bees
The Mid Atlantic is New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, and North Carolina. Evidently, there's a debate on which states are included or not based on how you measure.
That said, bee facts!
The Mid-Atlantic has nearly 500 different species of native bees.
Only the 6 or so regional bumble bee species defend their nests with stings
Loss of the complex native woodland, field, and meadow habitats to agriculture and housing/businesses causes native bee populations to crash because their pollen flowers are gone or replaced by weeds
A list of priority plants to plant in the yard:
- Blueberry
- Maleberry
- Staggerbush
- Deerberry
- Shrubby Dogwoods
- Winterberry and other native shrub hollies
- New Jersey Tea
- Pinxter Azalea
- Willow
- Coneflower
- Black-eyed Susan
- Annual and Perennial Sunflowers
- Goldenaster
- Ironweed
- Thistle (native not Canada or Bull)
- Goldenrod
- Asters
- Golden Alexanders
- Verbena/Vervain
- Gerardia
- Penstemon
- Loosestrifes (natives, not purple or garden)
- Monarda Mint
- Quaker Lady/ Bluets
- Ragwort
- Spring Woodland species like Wild Geranium, Troutlily, Spring Beauty, Bellworts
- Manroot
- Evening Primrose
- Hibiscus