Augochlora azteca

(Vachal, 1911)

Aztec Sweat Bee, Aztec augochlora

Augochlora azteca, commonly known as the Aztec Sweat , is a solitary bee in the Halictidae. It belongs to the tribe Augochlorini, a group of metallic green sweat bees that are frequently encountered on flowers. The species is distributed across Middle America and North America, where it contributes to pollination services in both natural and managed landscapes. Like other members of its , it exhibits solitary nesting .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Augochlora azteca: /ɔːˈɡoʊkloːrə æzˈtɛkə/

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Identification

Members of the Augochlora are virtually indistinguishable from related genera Augochlorella and Augochloropsis without microscopic examination. All three genera in the tribe Augochlorini share bright metallic green, blue-green, or occasionally brassy/coppery coloration. Augochlora typically nest in rotting wood, using galleries made by other insects. Distinguishing Augochlora azteca specifically from requires examination of morphological characters under a microscope.

Distribution

Middle America and North America. GBIF records indicate presence in both regions, with distribution spanning from Mexico through parts of the United States.

Diet

forage for nectar and pollen from flowers. More than 40 different plant have been recorded as food sources for related Augochlora species. Adults also visit mammalian sweat to obtain sodium and other electrolytes.

Life Cycle

Solitary lifecycle with no or . Females construct galleries in rotting wood, provisioning individual with pollen and nectar balls. are laid on these provisions, and larvae consume the stored food before pupating within the cells. emerge later to continue the cycle.

Behavior

Solitary nesting using pre-existing galleries in decaying wood. Some Augochlora exhibit communal nesting where multiple females share a nest entrance. are frequent flower visitors and have been observed lapping sweat from human skin to obtain salts.

Ecological Role

of flowering plants. Contributes to pollination services in natural and agricultural . As a member of the Halictidae , it represents part of the diverse native fauna that supports plant .

Human Relevance

Provides pollination services in gardens and agricultural landscapes. Generally docile and reluctant to sting; lacks the defensive aggression of social bees because solitary females cannot risk death without terminating their reproductive opportunity. May visit humans to obtain salts from sweat.

Similar Taxa

Augochlorella speciesVirtually identical metallic green appearance; microscopic examination required to distinguish
Augochloropsis speciesVirtually identical metallic green appearance; microscopic examination required to distinguish
Agapostemon speciesSimilar metallic green coloration but males have banded black and yellow rather than all-metallic appearance; females of most Agapostemon have black abdomens with white hair bands
Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae)Similar metallic appearance but cuckoo wasps are seldom found on flowers, flit about with quick jerky movements, and lack pollen-collecting scopae on hind legs

More Details

Nesting biology

Unlike many halictids that excavate soil burrows, Augochlora typically use galleries in rotting wood made by other insects. Some species exhibit communal nesting or primitively social .

Salt-seeking behavior

The has been observed lapping sweat from human skin, a documented in related Augochlora pura. Research by Dr. Edward Barrows demonstrated that filter papers moistened with NaCl solution are highly attractive to these bees, confirming their need for sodium and other electrolytes.