Both groups have a huge range of behavior and appearances, making it a little more difficult to identify the less common bees and wasps that may be out and about in the spring, summer and fall.

In fact, 2018 was so bad, that species of common bees including the garden, buff-tailed, heath and white-tailed bumblebees were at lows, and the early bumblebee had its worst year since 2012.

Armed with nets and jars, they fan out across the country to find, document and study native bees, both common and rare. Host Ari Daniel interviews Smithsonian writer Susan Freinkel and self ...