Halictidae
Guides
Sphecodosoma
Sphecodosoma is a genus of sweat bees in the family Halictidae, first described by Crawford in 1907. The genus contains at least three described species: S. beameri, S. dicksoni, and S. pratti. As members of the subfamily Rophitinae, these bees are part of a diverse group of small to medium-sized bees commonly known as sweat bees due to their attraction to human perspiration. The genus is placed in the tribe Rophitini, which includes bees with varied nesting habits and floral associations.
Sphecodosoma dicksoni
Dickson's Nama-Shortface
Sphecodosoma dicksoni is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Timberlake in 1961. It belongs to the genus Sphecodosoma, commonly known as nama-shortface bees. The species has been recorded in Central America and North America. Very few observations exist in citizen science databases, suggesting it may be uncommon or underreported.
Xeralictus
Xeralictus sweat bees
Xeralictus is a genus of small sweat bees in the family Halictidae, subfamily Rophitinae. The genus contains at least three described species, including X. bicuspidariae, X. biscuspidariae, and X. timberlakei. These bees are associated with desert environments in southwestern North America and exhibit specialized pollination relationships involving floral mimicry systems.
Xeralictus timberlakei
Timberlake's Blazingstar-Shortface
Xeralictus timberlakei is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1927. It is one of at least two species in the genus Xeralictus, which are rare bees associated with floral mimicry systems in southwestern North America. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented compared to its congener X. bicuspidariae.