# Augochlorine Sweat Bees (*Augochlorini*) Augochlorine sweat bees are small, shiny bees that love to collect pollen. They are friendly and help flowers grow by spreading pollen from one bloom to another. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens ![Augochlorine Sweat Bees](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Metallic_Sweat_Bee_-_Augochlorella_or_Augochlora_species%252C_near_Skyland%252C_Shenandoah_National_Park%252C_Virginia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metallic_Sweat_Bee_-_Augochlorella_or_Augochlora_species%252C_near_Skyland%252C_Shenandoah_National_Park%252C_Virginia.jpg) ## Appearance The Augochlorine Sweat Bees are small, often brightly metallic green, blue, or coppery-golden insects. They have clear wings and distinctively large eyes, setting them apart from drabber bee species. Their bodies shimmer in the sunlight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Halictidae - **Genus:** Augochlora ## Interesting facts - Wow! Many Augochlorine bees are important plant pollinators, helping flowers make seeds! - Wow! Some species live alone, while others share a small nest like roommates! - Wow! Their nests often look like tiny tunnels in the ground or old logs! - Wow! They get their 'sweat bee' name by sometimes sipping your sweat for salt! ## Special abilities - **Shimmering Camouflage:** Augochlorine Sweat Bees has a metallic exoskeleton that helps them blend into leafy environments or deter predators. - **Pollen Pockets:** Augochlorine Sweat Bees can carry pollen on special hairs (scopa) on their legs that helps them transport food. - **Tunnel Architects:** Augochlorine Sweat Bees can dig nests in the ground or soft wood because it provides a safe place for eggs. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 10-20 mm - **Size:** 5-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 1-20 ## Diet & Feeding These bees primarily drink nectar for energy and collect pollen for their developing young. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Tree sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Sunflower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sunflower) (*Helianthus annuus*) — helps transfer pollen between sunflower plants. - **Pollinates:** Black-eyed Susan (*Rudbeckia hirta*) — assists in the reproduction of these common wildflowers. - **Eaten by:** [Praying Mantis](https://www.snappit.app/explore/praying-mantis) (*Mantis religiosa*) — an ambush predator that catches bees on flowers. - **Eaten by:** Flower Crab Spider (*Misumena vatia*) — ambushes bees visiting flowers for nectar. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't worry! These bees are friendly and usually won't sting unless they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Augochlorine Sweat Bees? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Augochlorine Sweat Bees's wingspan? 10-20 mm ### How big is Augochlorine Sweat Bees? 5-10 mm ### How long does Augochlorine Sweat Bees live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Augochlorine Sweat Bees fly? 15 km/h ### What does Augochlorine Sweat Bees eat? These bees primarily drink nectar for energy and collect pollen for their developing young. ### Where is Augochlorine Sweat Bees usually found? Urban areas, gardens ### How does Augochlorine Sweat Bees hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Augochlorine Sweat Bees: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/augochlorine-sweat-bees)