Florida-endemic-variation
Guides
Halictus poeyi
Poey's Furrow Bee
Halictus poeyi is a primitively eusocial sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as Poey's furrow bee. The species exhibits notable geographic variation in colony cycle phenology: northern and central Florida populations are univoltine with annually brooded colonies, while southern Florida and Florida Keys populations are multivoltine with continuously brooded colonies. This plasticity appears driven by environmental conditions rather than genetic differentiation. Males form nighttime roosting clusters on vegetation, showing area fidelity within approximately 1.5 meters. The species is morphologically indistinguishable from Halictus ligatus, requiring genetic or detailed behavioral analysis for separation.