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Oregon Bee Project x iNaturalist? #877643

Asked July 17, 2024, 2:05 PM EDT

Howdy! I’m interested in learning more about how to identify bees (& other insects) on my flower farm. Ideally something that is not too technical (I am not a biologist/entomologist), for example the Oregon Wildflowers app, or iNaturalist. Can you suggest anything like that? I’m especially interested in iNaturalist; I have been posting insect observations there but am not reliably able to identify specific species. Thank you! Alex Hale

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Alex, 

I think iNaturalist is the best way to learn your bees without making a collection. A great book to help with this task is the Common Bees of Western North America:
https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/<personal data hidden>08/common-bees-of-western-north-america

We talked to the author on our podcast:
Also, there is the Master Melittologist program which is a collection based program. No experience is necessary and it contributes to the Oregon Bee Atlas:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/master-melittologist

Good luck, 
Andony
Andony Melathopoulos, Assistant Professor Pollinator Health Extension Department of Horticulture | Oregon State University 4017 Agricultural and Life Science Building | Corvallis, OR 97331-7304 cell: (541) 452-3038 Andony.Melathopoulos@oregonstate.edu oregon bee atlas | oregon bee project | twitter | facebook | instagram | podcast Replied July 17, 2024, 5:12 PM EDT

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