For years entomologists, ecologists, and botanists interested in pollination problems have urged bee specialists to prepare a key for identifying bee genera in North and Central America. Although regional keys exist, this extensively field-tested reference is the first to facilitate identification to the genus level of bees throughout the Northern (American) Hemisphere.

More than 500 drawings and photographs illustrate nearly every step in this key to the 169 genera, with text in both English and Spanish.

In the introduction, the authors describe how researchers already familiar with bee genera can streamline their use of the keys. Along with the comprehensive classification and discussion of features, the authors also provide practical advice to students embarking on their first attempts at bee identification. The notes on each genus give its range (for North and Central America), number of species, references to any revisional studies, subgenera, if any, and distinguishing features.

The book indicates nest sites for those bees that do not nest in the ground and identifies hosts for socially parasitic and cleptoparasitic genera. The authors list changes in classification and nomenclature and summarize the current classification by genera and subgenera. The Bee Genera of North and Central America offers in one convenient volume an unprecedented compendium for entomologists, ecologists, beekeepers, and scientists involved in pollination studies.