Furrow Bees
ExploreInsects
Furrow Bees
halictus
Furrow bees are tiny, buzzing creatures that help plants grow by spreading pollen. They love to dig in the ground to make their homes and are super important for our gardens!
Habitat: Furrow bees live in gardens, fields, and open areas with flowers.
Appearance
The Furrow Bee has a sleek, often metallic body that can be black, greenish, or even bluish, with light bands sometimes visible on its abdomen. Its head and thorax are usually covered in fine, sparse hairs, distinguishing it from fuzzy bumblebees.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyHalictidaeGenusHalictus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Queen Furrow Bees hibernate all winter, emerging in spring to start new families!
Some Furrow Bees shimmer with beautiful metallic green or blue colors!
They are called 'sweat bees' because they are attracted to the salt in human sweat!
They build cozy underground nests, sometimes sharing an entrance with neighbors!
Special abilities
Ability
Underground Architects
Furrow Bees can dig intricate tunnels in the soil because it provides a safe, temperature-controlled nursery for their developing young.
Ability
Sweat Sippers
Furrow Bees can land on humans and animals to sip sweat, because it provides them with vital salts and minerals for their diet.
Ability
Flexible Families
Furrow Bees can live alone or in small family groups, because some species exhibit primitive social behavior where daughters help their mother.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 7-15 mm
- Size
- 4-10 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-365 days
- Flight Speed
- 10 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
- Colony Size
- 1-50
Diet & Feeding
These tiny bees sip flower nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their growing babies.
Age differences: Larvae eat stored pollen and nectar collected by the mother; adults forage for themselves.
Primary Foods
- flower nectar
- flower pollen
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
pollinates
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Helps fertilize this popular flower, leading to seed production.
pollinates
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Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Visits these common lawn flowers, aiding their reproduction.
eaten by
Flower Crab Spider
Misumena vatia
Sometimes ambushed by this camouflaged spider while visiting flowers.
parasitizes
Cuckoo Bee
Sphecodes monilicornis
Lays its eggs in Furrow Bee nests, stealing their pollen provisions.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Ground BeesMiner BeesSweat Bees
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Furrow Bees's wingspan?
7-15 mm
How big is Furrow Bees?
4-10 mm
How long does Furrow Bees live?
30-365 days
How fast can Furrow Bees fly?
10 km/h
What does Furrow Bees eat?
These tiny bees sip flower nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their growing babies.
Where is Furrow Bees usually found?
Furrow bees live in gardens, fields, and open areas with flowers.
How does Furrow Bees hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Furrow Bees have?
6
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