There are more than 4,000 species of bees in North America, but the honeybee is not one of them. Honeybees were introduced from Europe in the early 1600s. Most people know that honeybees are good for crops, but they don’t pollinate everything. Squash, melons, cucumbers, blueberries and other foods that evolved in North America often require native bees to spread their pollen.

Our native bumblebees live in groups and produce honey but on a smaller scale than honeybees. Bumblebees can pollinate flowers by buzzing the pollen loose, making them important for plants not visited by honeybees. Bumblebees are excellent pollinators of blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes and peppers.

Squash bees look similar to honeybees, but their lives are quite different. While honeybees live in a hive with a queen and many workers, squash bees are solitary. Squash bees rely on the pollen from cucumber, pumpkin, melon and squash flowers. They are adapted to be active in lower light and temperatures than other bees — some are even active at night.

Sweat bees are also found in Pennsylvania. They are called sweat bees because some are attracted to human sweat; most would rather stay far away from people. These bees can be metallic green or blue in color and nest in the ground. They can also be tiny — some sweat bees are no larger than the eyes of honeybees.

Carpenter bees are also a familiar sight. They build their nests in dead wood using their large jaws. Carpenter bees don’t eat wood; they feed on nectar like other bees.

Honeybee colonies have been disappearing in recent years, so it’s important to keep our native bees healthy. One way that people can help our native bees succeed is to plant native flowers, such as wild bergamot, goldenrod and New England aster. Bees also need water, which you can provide in a pond or birdbath. Buzzing bees are good news for our gardens and farms.

First Published: May 7, 2015, 4:00 a.m.