Metallic Green Sweat Bee
Agapostemon
Heather Holm
Summary
The beautiful bright, shiny coloration of this little bee may make it one of the easiest bees in the garden to spot. Agapostemon, or metallic sweat bees, are solitary ground nesting bees, and require bare ground in which to dig their tunnels. Leaving un-mulched areas in your garden encourages them to make a home with you. Although it’s commonly believed that sweat bees are attracted to the moisture and minerals present in human sweat, this has not been proven. But whether true or not, don’t fear a sting from these tiny, peaceable bees–males don’t have stingers, and females will only use their sting if threatened. Simply brush them gently off and thank them for their excellent pollination services.
More Details
FAMILY
Halictidae
LIFE CYCLE NOTES
Produce one or two generations per year. Ground nests, sparsely spaced, are established by females which have mated in autumn, overwintered, then emerged to dig a nest the following spring.
FORAGING NOTES
Pollen is collected on hairs on the hind femur and tibia. Are generalists, but often forage on plants in the aster family, especially in summer and autumn.
SOCIALITY
Solitary
Ecosystem Connections
As generalists, sweat bees pollinate many plants, but have a particular penchant for members of the Asteraceae family, especially purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Females collect and transfer large amounts of pollen on their hairy legs.