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Green Sweat Bees

Green Sweat Bee, Agapostemon spp Green Sweat Bees are among the most common bees wherever bees are found. There are about 1,000 species. Although their small size makes them relatively inconspicuous, hundreds may swarm over flowers in gardens or meadows. The different species are often difficult to distinguish. Most sweat bees visit a variety of flowers. They sting only if handled

These bees are called Green Sweat Bees as they are attracted to the salt found in human sweat. Most of these bees nest underground but some burrow in wood. They emerge in mid spring and will forage throughout the summer. Some are semi-social or communal, while others are solitary. They are generalists and will forage on a wide variety of plants.

Green Sweat Bee
Habitat: Generalists
Development: Complete metamorphosis
Food: Herbivore
Flight Period: Mid-spring through late-summer
Description: Bright, metallic green or green-blue coloring on part or all of the body. Some have white and black striped abdomens, others have green or blue abdomens.
Length: Medium body size: 0.12 to 0.40 inches

  Life Cycle

The life cycles of sweat bees vary tremendously among species. Most species nest in the ground, but some nest in wood. Nests usually consist of a single main tunnel having one or more clumped cells arising from lateral branches. In some species, the bees constantly guard the nest entrances.

Many species are solitary-that is, the female builds and occupies its nest alone. This is considered the basic, most primitive nesting behavior. In some sweat bee species, females nest communally, sharing a common nest entrance.

Many specie show varying levels of sociality, passing through a continuum of stages in social development. There may be several egg-laying queens with the other bees functioning as workers. Sometimes generations of these bees overlap and live together and there may be a division of labor among nest mates.

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