Halictid
Guides
Agapostemon splendens
Brown-winged Striped Sweat Bee
Agapostemon splendens is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the brown-winged striped sweat bee. It is one of several metallic green bees in the genus Agapostemon found in North America. The species is distinguished by its brownish wing coloration and striped abdominal pattern in males. Like other halictid bees, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee that visits flowers for pollen and nectar.
Agapostemon virescens
Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee, bicolored striped-sweat bee
Agapostemon virescens, commonly known as the bicolored striped sweat bee, is a metallic green halictid bee native to North America. It is the official bee of Toronto, Canada. Females nest underground, often forming aggregations where multiple females share a single burrow entrance, though the species is considered solitary rather than truly social. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration and is a generalist pollinator frequently observed on flowers.
Augochlora pura mosieri
Augochlora pura mosieri is a subspecies of the solitary sweat bee Augochlora pura, described by Cockerell in 1922. As a member of the Halictidae family, it exhibits the metallic green coloration typical of the Augochlorini tribe. Like other Augochlora pura populations, it is solitary, nesting in rotting wood galleries rather than soil. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species range in eastern North America.
Augochlorella aurata
golden green sweat bee, golden sweat bee
Augochlorella aurata is a primitively eusocial sweat bee (Halictidae) and one of the most common bees in eastern North America. Adults display brilliant metallic green coloration, often diffused with copper, red, or yellow tones. The species nests in soil and exhibits a seasonal colony cycle with distinct foundress, worker, and reproductive phases. It is a generalist pollen forager and has been documented visiting numerous horticultural crops and native plants.
Augochloropsis metallica
Metallic epauletted-sweat bee
Augochloropsis metallica is a brilliant green metallic sweat bee in the family Halictidae, native to Central and North America. First described by Fabricius in 1793, the species underwent significant taxonomic revision when a former subspecies (A. fulgida) was elevated to species status, resulting in the division of the original A. metallica into five distinct species. The species is commonly found in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southern United States.
Dieunomia bolliana
Dieunomia bolliana is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, subfamily Nomiinae. It was originally described as Nomia bolliana by Cockerell in 1910 and later transferred to the genus Dieunomia. The genus Dieunomia comprises medium to large bees that are often associated with wetland habitats and are known to be pollen specialists on certain plant families. Records indicate presence in North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Dieunomia nevadensis arizonensis
Arizona Nomia
Dieunomia nevadensis arizonensis, known as the Arizona Nomia, is a subspecies of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is a ground-nesting bee distributed across the southwestern United States and adjacent regions of Mexico. The subspecies was first described by Cockerell in 1899 and is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by geographic range and subtle morphological differences. Like other members of the genus Dieunomia, it is a specialist pollinator associated with particular host plants.
Dufourea australis
Southwestern Shortface
Dufourea australis is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Michener in 1937. The species is commonly known as the Southwestern Shortface. It belongs to the subfamily Rophitinae, a group of bees characterized by their relatively short faces. Based on the specific epithet and common name, this species appears to be associated with southwestern regions of North America, though detailed ecological information remains limited in available sources.
Dufourea mulleri
Phacelia Shortface
Dufourea mulleri is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the Phacelia Shortface. It is a specialist pollinator with a documented association with plants in the genus Phacelia. The species occurs in North America and is one of the more frequently observed members of its genus.
Halictus confusus arapahonum
Arapaho Metallic-Furrow bee
Halictus confusus arapahonum is a subspecies of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Cockerell in 1906. As a member of the genus Halictus, it is likely a primitively eusocial or solitary ground-nesting bee. The nominate species Halictus confusus is known as the Confusing Furrow Bee or Metallic-Furrow bee. This subspecies is distinguished by geographic range and subtle morphological differences from other populations of H. confusus. Like other halictids, adults are generalist pollinators that visit diverse flowering plants.
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.
Lasioglossum atwoodi
Atwood's Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum atwoodi is a species of sweat bee described by Gibbs in 2010 as part of a comprehensive taxonomic revision of metallic Dialictus bees in Canada. It belongs to the subgenus Dialictus, the most commonly collected bee group in North America. As a member of this large and diverse genus, it likely exhibits the small size and metallic coloration typical of many Dialictus species, though specific biological details remain undocumented in published literature.
Lasioglossum bruneri
Bruner's Sweat Bee, Bruner's Dialictus
Lasioglossum bruneri is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as Bruner's sweat bee or Bruner's dialictus. It belongs to the large genus Lasioglossum, which is among the most diverse bee genera globally. The species is native to North America, with documented occurrences in the northeastern United States including Vermont. Like other halictid bees, it is a wild pollinator that contributes to ecosystem function, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Lasioglossum coreopsis
sweat bee
Lasioglossum coreopsis is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Robertson in 1902. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum, it belongs to the largest bee genus with over 1,700 species worldwide. The species is documented from the Caribbean and North America. Like other halictid bees, it likely exhibits solitary or semi-social nesting behavior in soil.
Lasioglossum imbrex
Lasioglossum imbrex is a small sweat bee species in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2010. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum, it belongs to the largest bee genus with over 1,700 species globally. The species is found in North America and Hawaii, where it contributes to pollination services in its native habitats. Like other halictid bees, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social species.
Lasioglossum imitatum
Bristle Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum imitatum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the bristle sweat bee. It is a member of the large genus Lasioglossum (subgenus Dialictus), which contains over 1,700 species. The species is known to be parasitized by the social parasite Paralictus asteris, which invades nests and becomes the dominant reproductive in host colonies.
Lasioglossum macoupinense
Macoupin County sweat bee
Lasioglossum macoupinense is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the Macoupin County sweat bee. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-nesting bee. The species was first described by Robertson in 1895.
Lasioglossum oceanicum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum oceanicum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1916. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small bee with metallic coloration typical of many halictids. The species belongs to one of the most species-rich bee genera globally, with over 1,700 described species. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information for L. oceanicum specifically is limited in available literature.
Lasioglossum pectinatum
ground cherry sweat bee
Lasioglossum pectinatum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the ground cherry sweat bee. It belongs to the largest genus of bees, Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species. Like other halictids, it is a ground-nesting bee and is attracted to human perspiration for the salts and minerals it contains. The species is documented in North America, with records from Vermont.
Lasioglossum pectorale
Rugose-chested Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum pectorale is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Frederick Smith in 1853. It belongs to the enormous genus Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species of halictid bees worldwide. Like other sweat bees, it is attracted to human perspiration for its salt and mineral content. The species is known to visit flowers of prairie clovers and other forbs.
Lasioglossum pectoraloides
Shiny-breasted Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum pectoraloides is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1895. It belongs to one of the largest genera of bees, with over 1,700 species. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary or semi-social ground-nesting bee. The species occurs in North America and Middle America.
Lasioglossum perpunctatum
Densely Punctured Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a metallic sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, one of the most diverse and commonly collected bee groups in North America. The species was originally described by Ellis in 1913 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with two former species (D. highlandicus and D. junaluskensis) now synonymized with it. Like other Dialictus, it exhibits varied social systems ranging from solitary to eusocial. As a member of the largest bee genus, it contributes to pollination services in its native range.
Lasioglossum pilosum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum pilosum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Smith in 1853. It is a generalist pollinator known to visit flowers of diverse plant species and has been documented pollinating commercial fruit crops including apples. The species is native to North America, with confirmed records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. Like other halictid bees, it exhibits the characteristic behavior of lapping human perspiration for salts and minerals. Females possess a sting that has been described as mildly irritating relative to other stinging bees.
Lasioglossum pruinosum
hoary sweat bee
Lasioglossum pruinosum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the hoary sweat bee. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species is documented in North America and is one of many small halictid bees frequently captured in bowl trap surveys, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Lasioglossum quebecense
Quebec Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum quebecense is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, native to North America. As a member of the genus Lasioglossum—one of the largest bee genera with over 1,700 species—it contributes to pollination services in its native range. The species was first described by Crawford in 1907. Like other sweat bees, it is attracted to human perspiration for moisture and salts.
Lasioglossum sisymbrii
Tansy Mustard Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum sisymbrii is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as the Tansy Mustard Sweat Bee. It belongs to one of the largest bee genera, with over 1,700 species. The species is frequently captured in bowl traps used for bee monitoring, often in large numbers relative to other bee species. It occurs in western North America and has been documented visiting flowers of tansy-mustard (Descurainia spp.) and related plants in the mustard family.
Lasioglossum smilacinae
Mayflower Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum smilacinae, commonly known as the Mayflower Sweat Bee, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to the large genus Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species of small bees often referred to as sweat bees due to their attraction to human perspiration. As a member of the subgenus Dialictus, this species exhibits traits typical of that group. The species was first described by Robertson in 1897 and occurs in North America.
Lasioglossum tuolumnense
Lasioglossum tuolumnense is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Gibbs in 2009. It belongs to the genus Lasioglossum, the largest genus of bees with over 1,700 species. As a halictid bee, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social species, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Lasioglossum vierecki
Viereck's Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum vierecki is a solitary sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as Viereck's Sweat Bee. It is a sand specialist, nesting exclusively in sandy soils and visiting plants restricted to sandy habitats. The species is distinguished by its densely hairy orange-yellow abdomen with golden-yellow hair on the scutellum and extensively yellow legs in females. Active from April to September, it occurs across eastern North America from Minnesota and southern Canada to Georgia and Louisiana.
Lasioglossum viridatum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum viridatum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Lovell in 1905. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-nesting solitary or semi-social bee. The species is part of the enormous Lasioglossum genus, which contains over 1,700 species globally and is frequently encountered in bee monitoring studies due to its abundance. It has been recorded in North America, with specific observations from Vermont.
Lasioglossum zephyrus
Zephyr Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum zephyrus is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, native to the United States and Canada. The species exhibits primitively eusocial behavior with flexible social organization—colonies may contain multiple females with overlapping generations, or females may nest solitarily. Nests are constructed in soil burrows, often in aggregations of up to 1,000 nests along south-facing stream banks. Males are slightly larger than females, with brighter metallic green coloration and redder abdomens.
Lasioglossum zonulum
Sweat bee
Lasioglossum zonulum is a small sweat bee in the family Halictidae, native to Europe and introduced to North America. It belongs to the subgenus Dialictus, one of the most species-rich groups of bees globally. Like other Lasioglossum species, it is a ground-nesting bee that visits flowers for pollen and nectar. The species is notable for being frequently captured in bowl traps used for bee monitoring, a trait common to many small halictid bees.
Mexalictus arizonensis
Arizona mexalictus
Mexalictus arizonensis, commonly known as the Arizona mexalictus, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is a small, solitary bee endemic to the southwestern United States. The species was described by Eickwort in 1978 and is one of the few members of the genus Mexalictus, a group of bees restricted to North America. Like other halictids, it is likely a generalist pollinator, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Protodufourea
Protodufourea is a genus of sweat bees in the family Halictidae, established by Timberlake in 1955. The genus contains approximately five described species. It belongs to the subfamily Rophitinae and tribe Rophitini, a group of bees often associated with specialized floral relationships.
Pseudaugochlora graminea
Grassy Green-Sweat Bee
Pseudaugochlora graminea is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, distributed across the Neotropics from Mexico through Central America to South America. As a member of the tribe Augochlorini, it exhibits the metallic green coloration typical of this group. The species has been documented in 613 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-observed within its range.
Sphecodes confertus
Sphecodes confertus is a species of cleptoparasitic sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1837. Like other members of the genus Sphecodes, this species is a nest parasite of other halictid bees. The species has been recorded in North America, with confirmed observations from Vermont.
Sphecodes heraclei heraclei
Northern Cyclops Blood Bee
Sphecodes heraclei heraclei is a subspecies of blood bee in the family Halictidae. As a member of the genus Sphecodes, it is a cleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that exploits the nests of other solitary bees, particularly sweat bees in the family Halictidae. The subspecies was described by Robertson in 1897. Like other Sphecodes, females enter host nests to lay eggs in brood cells, with their larvae consuming the host's pollen provisions and parasitizing the host larvae.
Xeralictus bicuspidariae
Xeralictus bicuspidariae is a rare bee species in the family Halictidae, discovered to play a central role in a floral mimicry system in the Sonoran Desert. The species is one of two rare Xeralictus bees involved in a pollination relationship with Mentzelia involucrata, a yellow-flowered plant in the family Loasaceae. Male bees patrol for females at these flowers, where they attempt to mate with females buried head-first in the blossoms. This behavior has been exploited by the orchid-like plant Mohavea confertiflora, which mimics both the appearance of Mentzelia flowers and the visual cue of a female bee abdomen, tricking males into attempting copulation and thereby transferring pollen.