Family: Halictidae
These solitary sweat bees are small (1/4 inch in size) but stand out due to their bright metallic green coloring. They are generalists, visiting many different types of flowers, collecting and carrying pollen on their hind legs.
Description
- Compared to other, larger bees, these tiny bees are more slender and have fewer feathery hairs. Due to their small size and lack of hairs, they may be confused with small wasps.
- This green bee pollinating a cucumber plant is solid green. Some green bee species have a yellow-black striped abdomen.
- These bees move very quickly and spook easily, so to observe them, be still and avoid casting a shadow on the blooms you’re watching.
Where they carry pollen
Like most bees in the Halictidae family, green sweat bees generally carry pollen on their hind legs as shown here.
