‘When I see bees, I see beauty’: Local scientist explores the world of native bees

Aliza Fassler fell in love with the study of native bees while doing research in the Montague sandplains, which contain over half of the bee species known to occur in Massachusetts. The Greenfield native, a doctoral candidate at UMass, says she got hooked on bees because of their phenomenal diversity.

Aliza Fassler fell in love with the study of native bees while doing research in the Montague sandplains, which contain over half of the bee species known to occur in Massachusetts. The Greenfield native, a doctoral candidate at UMass, says she got hooked on bees because of their phenomenal diversity. Courtesy Aliza Fassler

Bee researcher Aliza Fassler suggests keeping an eye out for tiny flying insects known as golden green sweat bees, which land harmlessly on perspiring humans during toasty days in order to lick the salt from sweat found on the skin. Fassler says it’s possible to spot a miniscule tongue in the act of licking, and noted that observant folks can even notice a sensation of tickling.

Bee researcher Aliza Fassler suggests keeping an eye out for tiny flying insects known as golden green sweat bees, which land harmlessly on perspiring humans during toasty days in order to lick the salt from sweat found on the skin. Fassler says it’s possible to spot a miniscule tongue in the act of licking, and noted that observant folks can even notice a sensation of tickling. Courtesy Aliza Fassler

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

For the Recorder

Published: 01-17-2025 9:51 AM

Aliza Fassler is a scientist who spends a lot of time outdoors, and the Greenfield native offers a tip that can lead to an extraordinary experience. The next time you’re perspiring while outdoors on a warm day, keep an eye out for a tiny flying insect. If a golden green sweat bee (Augochlorella aurata) lands on you, there’s a chance you could observe it licking the salt on your skin. If you look carefully, you might even see its miniscule tongue. “It tickles!” said Fassler.

That little sweat licker is just one of many native bees the University of Massachusetts PhD candidate researches and has come to truly love. Fassler, 29, graduated from Mohawk Trail Regional High School and Smith College, and is now in her fourth year of doctoral studies; she relishes opportunities to share information about the amazing diversity of wild bees in Massachusetts.

“I want people to know why engaging in insect conservation can be so hopeful,” Fassler said. “Many of the bees I study might spend their whole lives within a yard, garden, or neighborhood. Because wild bees are so small and we know so little about their populations, documenting wild bees in neighborhoods can have a big effect. So can actions like mowing less, planting native plants – especially willows! – and leaving the stems of herbaceous plants in your garden.”

Before we delve further into Fassler’s fascinating work, dear readers, let’s take a side trip on the subject of stings. “This comes up a lot in my work,” said Fassler, “which makes sense, because being stung is often the first way a person encounters a bee or a wasp, and a sting can be painful, scary, and unfortunately sometimes even life-threatening.” But Fassler emphasized that bees are not out to get us. “Stinging is a defensive behavior, not an act of aggression. Bees only sting when they feel that they or their nests are threatened.”

People can quite safely observe bees foraging on flowers. “Bees won’t sting unless you step on them or approach within 10 to 20 feet of their hive,” said Fassler. “If a bee lands on you, it’s most likely drawn to the salt in your sweat.” Solitary bees and social bees have different stinging behaviors. Most of the approximately 400 bee species in Massachusetts are solitary; those bees don’t defend their nests in groups. “A solitary female builds and provisions her nest alone,” said Fassler, “making her unlikely to sting, since her survival is crucial. And since male bees cannot sting, far fewer bees have the ability to sting than many people think.”

Fassler routinely closely observes bees without getting stung. She added a caveat, however: “If you’re allergic to bees, it’s important to consult your doctor and take any recommended precautions such as carrying an epipen. It’s always wise to treat bees with respect and give nests a wide berth.” On the rare occasion that Fassler has been stung, she said, “It’s because I did something like bent my arm without noticing a bee. Once it was trapped, it panicked.”

Fassler hasn’t held grudges in the rare cases when she’s been stung, and she’s learned to be extra careful while crouched on the forest floor, counting plant stems, which is one of many tasks performed by this dedicated bee scientist. “Sometimes, like on a 90-degree day, I get really sweaty while researching,” said Fassler, “and find myself covered in sweat bees. Those bees can leave a pheromone marking, which in turn attracts others. I’m careful, and very rarely get stung.”

Having majored in biology with a focus on ecology and conservation, Fassler graduated from Smith in 2017. For a time, she traveled for ecology focused work, including to Iceland and Florida. You might ask how she ended up on the forest floor, counting stems and making friends with bees? The shift happened after she found a placement working in the Montague sandplains researching bees. “I fell in love with it,” she said. Fassler’s original bee mentor was Joan Milam, adjunct professor at the UMass College of Natural Sciences. “Joan is an amazing source of knowledge about our natural world,” said Fassler of Milam. “In addition to doing research about native bees, she also conducts extensive, brilliant research about spotted turtles.” Working with Milam sparked in Fassler a passion for bees: “I got hooked on bees because of their phenomenal diversity. When I see bees, I see beauty.”

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The Montague sandplains, located near the Turners Falls airport, represent a glacial outwash from old Lake Hitchcock. “It’s an inland sand dune area,” said Fassler. “Bees love sandy places because they nest in sandy soils.” Over half of the bees known to occur in our state can be found at the Montague spot. “Some of them are the size of a grain of rice, while others are an inch long,” explained Fassler. Enthusiasm rising in her voice, she added, “There are many different colors, too: black, brown, yellow, red, blue, green … I felt like I stumbled into a fascinating world of alien creatures that I knew nothing about! The more I learned, the more questions I had.”

Tune in next week for part two of Aliza Fassler’s adventures with native bees, where we’ll learn what regular citizens can do to encourage these tiny creatures who play a significant role in the health of our environment and our planet.

Eveline MacDougall is the author of “Fiery Hope” and an artist, musician, and mom. To contact: eveline@amandlachorus.org.