# Golden Sweat Bee (*Augochlorella aurata*) The Golden Sweat Bee is a small, shiny bee that loves to visit flowers. They are friendly and help plants grow by spreading pollen. You can find them buzzing around in gardens and meadows! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens, meadows ![Golden Sweat Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Augochlorella_aurata_1563.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jomegat, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Augochlorella_aurata_1563.jpg) ## Appearance The Golden Sweat Bee has a stunning, iridescent metallic body that shimmers bright green or golden-green in sunlight. Its slender form and clear wings make it appear like a tiny flying jewel. This small bee often has faint stripes on its abdomen, distinguishing it from similarly sized flies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Halictidae - **Genus:** Augochlorella ## Interesting facts - Female sweat bees often lay their eggs in nests they dug themselves, protecting their babies. - Its shimmering body is caused by light bouncing off tiny structures, not pigments! - Some golden sweat bees can 'buzz pollinate,' shaking pollen out of flowers like a tiny vibrator! - They are very gentle and rarely sting, even if you get very close to them! ## Special abilities - **Salt Seeker:** Golden Sweat Bee can drink human sweat because it needs the salt and minerals that helps them stay healthy. - **Flower Friend:** Golden Sweat Bee has fuzzy hairs that help them collect pollen and carry it between flowers, helping plants make seeds. - **Underground Architect:** Golden Sweat Bee can dig small, cozy burrows in the soil because it helps them create safe nests for their young. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 8-15 mm - **Size:** 4-8 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 10-15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These bees sip sugary nectar and gather nutritious pollen from flowers to fuel their buzzing lives! - **Age differences:** Larvae eat a paste of pollen and nectar provisioned by the mother, while adults consume only nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Aster flowers, Goldenrod flowers, Clover flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Helps transfer pollen between its vibrant yellow flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Visits these common flowers for easy access to nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — A swift bird that might snatch foraging bees from the air. ## Traits - [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. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 Golden Sweat Bees are friendly, but it's best to stay calm and not swat at them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Golden Sweat Bee? 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 Golden Sweat Bee's wingspan? 8-15 mm ### How big is Golden Sweat Bee? 4-8 mm ### How long does Golden Sweat Bee live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Golden Sweat Bee fly? 10-15 km/h ### What does Golden Sweat Bee eat? These bees sip sugary nectar and gather nutritious pollen from flowers to fuel their buzzing lives! ### Where is Golden Sweat Bee usually found? Urban areas, gardens, meadows ### How does Golden Sweat Bee 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: [Golden Sweat Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-sweat-bee)