Agapostemon angelicus

Females are distinguished from similar Agapostemon species by their entirely metallic green body, lacking pale abdominal bands. Males are distinguished from other Agapostemon males by specific banding patterns and geographic distribution. A. angelicus is most easily confused with A. texanus; precise identification may require examination of subtle morphological characters. Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae) can be mistaken for female A. angelicus due to shared metallic coloration, but wasps lack pollen-collecting scopae on hind legs and exhibit quick, jerky movements compared to the more deliberate flight of bees.

Found in desert and semi-arid regions, particularly in and around the southwestern United States. Nests are constructed in soil, often in areas with sparse vegetation. Favors sunny, open ground with suitable soil substrate for tunnel excavation.

North America, from Canada south to Mexico. Most commonly found in the western and central United States, with highest abundance in desert regions of the southwestern US.

Primarily active during daylight hours. Adults have been observed taking refuge on larger flowers during the night. Activity period spans warm months, with specific phenology varying by locality.

Polylectic pollinator, feeding on nectar and pollen from diverse flowering plants. Specific floral associations include members of Asteraceae such as Echinacea (coneflowers).

Ground-nesting solitary bee. Females excavate tunnels in soil to serve as nests. Brood cells are provisioned with pollen balls rather than honey. Eggs are laid on pollen provisions for larvae to consume. Two subspecies recognized: A. angelicus angelicus and A. angelicus idahoensis.

Females are primarily solitary, though the degree of sociality varies within the genus. Males may aggregate on single plants. Attracted to human sweat for salt content, though males appear less likely to exhibit this behavior than females. Generally docile; females capable of stinging but rarely aggressive. Preening behavior observed, with individuals resting on sunlit leaves.

Generalist pollinator contributing to reproduction of diverse flowering plants. Serves as prey or host for cleptoparasitic bees such as Sphecodes species. Part of native bee communities supporting ecosystem function in arid and semi-arid environments.

Provides pollination services in natural and garden settings. Attraction to human sweat can result in close encounters, but stings are rare and mild. Valued as a native pollinator in habitat restoration and pollinator gardening initiatives.

• Agapostemon texanusOverlapping distribution and similar size; females also metallic green but may differ in subtle morphological characters
• Agapostemon virescensShared metallic green female coloration; A. virescens females have black abdomen with white hair bands, not entirely green
• Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps)Similar metallic green coloration; distinguished by lack of pollen-collecting structures and different flight behavior

The common name 'sweat bee' is sometimes misunderstood to mean these bees produce sweat; rather, they are attracted to human perspiration for its salt content. The species is sometimes mistaken for A. texanus due to similarity in appearance and distribution.

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• California Has No State Bee--Yet! | Bug Squad
• The Native Bees in the UC Davis Bee Haven | Bug Squad
• Encyrtid Holdings | Entomology Research Museum
• Going Native: Do You Know the Native Bees of California? | Bug Squad
• Sweet times for sweat bees: Sweat bees, Halictus ligatus and Agapostemon virescens — Bug of the Week
• Bug Eric: Metallica