Among insect pollinators, bees are especially efficient because they eat pollen and nectar exclusively, visit many flowers of the same species during a single trip, and have hairy bodies which easily pick up pollen grains. There are over 3000 species of bees in North America. Most of these are solitary bees, but a well-known minority are social , that is, they live together in colonies and cooperate in colony tasks. Compared to honey bees, some wild bees pollinate certain crops more efficiently because of unique and desirable behaviors. In many parts of the country, fruit and vegetable growers are concerned about declining numbers of wild bees.
Human activities destroy bee habitat and forage.