#sweatbee

Metallic Green with overtones of blues, yellows, and reds.  Augochlora pura from West Virginia.  Note the forked tip of the mandible with the slightly offset points.  Note too how the suture lines create peninsular sinuses next to the sides of the clypeus.  There.  Now you know how to ID A. pura from Eastern North America.  Photo by Aidan Griffin.  

this is the sweat bee (scientific name: halictidae)! as noted in their name, sweat bees are particularly attracted to perspiration! their appearance is distinct and iridescent with hints of green and sometimes blue!

The shiny, metallic green color of this bee is vivid and uncommon compared to more typical yellow and black relatives. Augochlora Sweat Bees are small, with brown wings. Their bodies are shiny and metallic, covered in short hairs. As you can see, Sweat Bees have pollen baskets on their legs and collect it like other bees. They can sting like other bees, but are very reluctant to do so. They get their unlikely name, Sweat Bees, because they also seem to enjoy licking sweat off of arms and legs. The salt attracts the insect and allows for closer observation. They are not aggressive and are unlikely to sting. Like flies, one can shoo them away with gentle encouragement. ・・・ #growninhaiti #sweatbee #AugochloraPura #pollinators #agroforestry #biodiversity #squashblossom #haiti #ayiti #reforestation #species #nopesticides #organic #natureatwork https://www.instagram.com/p/B9gEMs2FYUp/?igshid=17m5kdh3op1es

I’m working on identifying some of our ‘easier’ Lasioglossum species (easier = sensu strictu group) #bees #beeidentification #lasioglossum #halictidae #sweatbee https://www.instagram.com/labbugs/p/BwUoHvolK9w/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xy2116bjcdq0

Dolichopodid fly capturing sweat bee #Sciapodinae #ホソアシナガバエ亜科 #Dolichopodidae #アシナガバエ科 #fly #Halictidae #sweatbee #bee #halictine #コハナバチ _Helianthus annuus_ common #sunflower #tournesol #héliotrope #maurelle #Sonnenblume #girasol #ヒラソル #ヒマワリ (総社二子山古墳) https://www.instagram.com/p/By9ddvEgtE_/?igshid=krwmdmdp4eao

A lovely Lasioglossum striking that familiar upside-down curled pose. Little bees that get into tight places with their contortions. Seen here on a rose flower, a type of which native to Illinois that I found a bit challenging to identify. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~#lasioglossum #furrowbee #sweatbee #roseflower

Saw an unfortunately named sweat bee today - - - #bug #insect #insects #bugs #insectphotography #macro #bee #bees #sweatbee #apoidea #garden #wildlife

Here is a cool "Sweat Bee" that I found while bug hunting in Estacada, Oregon this past July. I'm guessing that this one is Agapostemon virescens or the Metallic Green Bee.