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Metallic Sweat Bees

Dialictus

Metallic Sweat Bees are tiny, shiny bees that love to collect pollen and nectar from flowers. They are friendly and help plants grow by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Metallic Sweat Bee is a small, slender bee often shimmering with brilliant metallic greens, blues, or coppery hues. Its body can appear smooth and jewel-like, making it distinctly vibrant among garden insects.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyHalictidaeGenusDialictus
Metallic Sweat Bees
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Metallic Sweat Bees

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Many species are solitary, building their own homes and raising their young alone!

Some Metallic Sweat Bees are known to share a nest with several other females!

These tiny bees can be important pollinators for many different kinds of crops!

They are called 'sweat bees' because they sometimes land on people to sip salty sweat!

Special abilities

Ability

Salt Seeker

Metallic Sweat Bees can detect and are drawn to human sweat because it provides them with essential salts and minerals they need.

Ability

Pollinator Power

Metallic Sweat Bees are expert pollinators, collecting pollen on their fuzzy bodies that helps many plants reproduce and grow.

Ability

Earth Excavator

Metallic Sweat Bees can dig intricate underground nests because their strong mandibles and legs are adapted for excavation in soil.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
6-16 mm
Size
4-8 mm
Lifespan
30-90 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
1-50

Diet & Feeding

They sip sweet nectar from flowers for energy and gather pollen to feed their young.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • water
  • mineral salts
  • honeydew

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Common Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

helps this flower produce seeds.

eaten by

Flower Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

ambushes bees visiting flowers for nectar.

parasitizes

Cuckoo Bee

Sphecodes albilabris

lays eggs in their nests for its young.

pollinates

White Clover

Trifolium repens

is visited for its abundant nectar.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't swat at bees! They usually just want to collect nectar and won't hurt you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Metallic Sweat Bees's wingspan?

6-16 mm

How big is Metallic Sweat Bees?

4-8 mm

How long does Metallic Sweat Bees live?

30-90 days

How fast can Metallic Sweat Bees fly?

15 km/h

What does Metallic Sweat Bees eat?

They sip sweet nectar from flowers for energy and gather pollen to feed their young.

Where is Metallic Sweat Bees usually found?

Urban areas

How does Metallic Sweat Bees hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Metallic Sweat Bees have?

6

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