Metallic-green
Guides
Agapostemon coloradinus
Colorado Striped Sweat Bee
Agapostemon coloradinus, the Colorado striped-sweat bee, is a species of metallic green sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Agapostemon, which are distributed across North America. Members of this genus are commonly known as "green sweat bees" due to their distinctive metallic coloration. The specific epithet "coloradinus" suggests a connection to Colorado, though the full geographic range extends more broadly. Like other halictid bees, it is a solitary or primitively eusocial pollinator that nests in soil.
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 azteca
Aztec Sweat Bee, Aztec augochlora
Augochlora azteca, commonly known as the Aztec Sweat Bee, is a solitary bee species in the family 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 genus, it exhibits solitary nesting behavior.
Augochlora pura
Pure Green Sweat Bee, Pure Gold-Green Sweat Bee
A solitary sweat bee in the family Halictidae, native to eastern North America. Adults are typically 8 mm long with bright metallic green coloration, though Florida populations exhibit deep blue metallic coloration. The species nests exclusively in rotting wood, utilizing pre-existing insect burrows to construct brood cells lined with a waxy secretion from the Dufour's gland. Unlike many halictids, A. pura has secondarily lost social behavior; females are solitary nesters with no worker caste, though multiple females may aggregate during overwintering or when nesting near deceased mothers.
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 anonyma
sweat bee
Augochloropsis anonyma is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to the tribe Augochlorini, a group of metallic green bees that are frequently mistaken for cuckoo wasps due to their similar appearance. The species was described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1922. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary bee that nests in soil or rotting wood.
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.
Augochloropsis viridula
Northeastern Sweat Bee
Augochloropsis viridula, commonly known as the northeastern sweat bee, is a metallic green bee in the family Halictidae. The species was first described by Frederick Smith in 1853, then treated as a subspecies of A. metallica, but was reinstated as a full species in 2022 based on taxonomic research. It is found in the midwestern United States and Canada. Like other halictids, it is a solitary bee that nests in soil.
Bellardia vulgaris
Pale-veined Emerald-bottle
Bellardia vulgaris is a species of blow fly in the family Calliphoridae, commonly known as the Pale-veined Emerald-bottle. It is a metallic green fly distributed across parts of Europe including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As a member of the Calliphoridae, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the provided sources.
Calopteryx angustipennis
Appalachian jewelwing
Calopteryx angustipennis, the Appalachian jewelwing, is a large damselfly endemic to the eastern United States. It inhabits rocky rivers and streams with cold, fast-flowing water, particularly in woodland settings. Adults are active from spring through summer, with emergence timing varying by latitude.
Chlaenius prasinus
Chlaenius prasinus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, characterized by its vivid metallic green coloration. The genus Chlaenius contains approximately 1,000 species worldwide, with members distributed across the Palearctic, Near East, North Africa, Afrotropical region, and Nearctic. Species in this genus are known for their chemical defense capabilities and predatory habits. C. prasinus has been documented in the United States, though specific ecological details remain limited in published sources.
Chrysina beyeri
Beyer's scarab, Beyer's jewel scarab
Chrysina beyeri, commonly known as Beyer's scarab or Beyer's jewel scarab, is a species of shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae. This bright green beetle is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with records from southeastern Arizona, Texas, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora. The species is known to come to mercury-vapor and ultraviolet lights at night in oak/juniper woodland habitats.
Cotinis nitida
green June beetle, June bug, June beetle, Common Green June Beetle
Cotinis nitida is a native North American scarab beetle in the flower chafer subfamily Cetoniinae. Adults are large, metallic green beetles active during daylight hours, often seen flying loudly in search of ripe or fermenting fruit. The species completes a one-year life cycle, with larvae feeding underground on decaying organic matter and occasionally damaging turfgrass roots through tunneling behavior. Though sometimes mistaken for the invasive Japanese beetle, this species is significantly larger and behaviorally distinct, and is generally considered a minor agricultural pest.
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green dock beetle, blue dock beetle
Gastrophysa cyanea is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, measuring 4-5 mm with metallic green coloration that may shift to metallic blue in pinned specimens. The species is found across North America and is strongly associated with dock plants (Rumex species), particularly curly dock. Females develop conspicuously swollen abdomens prior to egg laying, providing a reliable diagnostic feature. The species emerges in spring and has been the subject of behavioral studies examining host plant recognition.
Gymnocheta
Gymnocheta is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 12 described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. The genus is distinguished by metallic green coloration in some species, a trait shared with only one other European tachinid genus. Members are parasitoids of Lepidoptera, with larvae developing inside host caterpillars. The genome of G. viridis was sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Leptinotarsa haldemani
Haldeman's green potato beetle
Leptinotarsa haldemani, commonly known as Haldeman's green potato beetle, is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is named after 19th-century American entomologist Samuel Stehman Haldeman. The species is distinguished by its glossy metallic green elytra, black head, and black appendages. It feeds primarily on wild Solanaceae species and is occasionally found on cultivated potatoes.
Medetera aberrans
Medetera aberrans is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Wheeler in 1899. It occurs in eastern North America, where adults are frequently encountered in wet grasslands and marshes. The species exhibits metallic green coloration with yellow legs, characteristic of many dolichopodids. It belongs to the aberrans species group within Medetera, a group that has alternatively been treated as the separate genus Saccopheronta.
Ornidia obesa
Green Jewel Fly
Ornidia obesa is a metallic green syrphid fly widely distributed across the Americas and introduced to the Old World. Adults are frequently observed in association with decomposing organic matter, particularly animal feces and compost. The species has been documented as a host for pteromalid parasitoids and is noted for harboring bacteria of public health significance.
Phaenops gentilis
Phaenops gentilis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, known for its bright metallic green coloration. Adults are approximately 8 mm in length and are associated with pine forests, particularly ponderosa pine. The species has been documented exhibiting erratic running behavior when disturbed and is known to pause for grooming and egg-laying activities. It occurs in western North America including Colorado, Arizona, and British Columbia.
Plinthocoelium suaveolens plicatum
Bumelia Borer
Plinthocoelium suaveolens plicatum is the western subspecies of a striking longhorned beetle distributed from Texas west to New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico. Distinguished from the nominate eastern subspecies by bronze or cupreous tints and weak transverse rugae on the pronotum, this beetle exhibits brilliant iridescent green coloration with contrasting orange and black legs. Larvae develop in the roots of living Sideroxylon lanuginosum (gum bumelia), with adults active during summer months. The subspecies intergrades with P. s. suaveolens in northeastern Texas.
Trichiotinus lunulatus
Emerald Flower Scarab, Metallic Green Flower Scarab
Trichiotinus lunulatus is a flower scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, distributed across the southeastern United States. Adults are metallic green in color and have been observed visiting flowers, particularly those of pricklypear cactus (Opuntia). The species is smaller and more widespread than some congeners such as T. rufobrunneus.