This informal term refers to several species of solitary and social bees characterized by dense, bright yellow hairs on their thorax and abdomen. Unlike the common European honeybee, many of these native insects are highly specialized pollinators that target specific plant families. Orchardists and native plant growers value them for their efficiency in pollinating early-blooming crops.
Heard on the job
We've a good population of gold bees working the squash blossoms this morning.