# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Metallic Sweat Bees](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lasioglossum_georgeickworti%252C_F%252C_Face%252C_NY%252C_Queens_2014-04-22-14.24.47_ZS_PMax.jpg&width=800) Photo: Sam Droege, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lasioglossum_georgeickworti%252C_F%252C_Face%252C_NY%252C_Queens_2014-04-22-14.24.47_ZS_PMax.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Halictidae - **Genus:** Dialictus ## 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 - **Salt Seeker:** Metallic Sweat Bees can detect and are drawn to human sweat because it provides them with essential salts and minerals they need. - **Pollinator Power:** Metallic Sweat Bees are expert pollinators, collecting pollen on their fuzzy bodies that helps many plants reproduce and grow. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — is visited for its abundant nectar. ## 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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [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 Don't swat at bees! They usually just want to collect nectar and won't hurt you. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Metallic 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Jefferson Barracks Military Post](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jefferson-barracks-military-post) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Antoine Greenspace](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/antoine-greenspace) — Texas, US · Park - [Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brackendale-eagles-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Metallic Sweat Bees](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/metallic-sweat-bees) ## 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: [Metallic Sweat Bees: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/metallic-sweat-bees)