Poey'S Furrow Bee

halictus poeyi

Poey's Furrow Bee (Halictus poeyi) is a fascinating species of sweat bee closely related to the widespread Ligated Furrow Bee. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, this hardworking insect plays a vital role in local ecosystems by pollinating a vast array of wildflowers and agricultural crops. What makes H. poeyi particularly interesting is its complex social structure; these bees are primitively eusocial, meaning they form small underground colonies governed by a reproductive queen and supported by her non-reproductive worker daughters. Often overlooked due to their small stature, these bees are incredibly industrious. They earn their "furrow bee" moniker from the extensive, branching tunnels they excavate in bare, well-drained soil. Furthermore, they are famously known as "sweat bees" because of their curious habit of landing on humans to lap up perspiration, a behavior driven by their need to supplement their diet with essential salts and moisture that are often lacking in floral nectar.

Habitat: Found in open, sunny environments such as meadows, prairies, agricultural fields, and urban gardens where patches of bare soil are available for nesting.

Appearance

Poey's Furrow Bee is a small to medium-sized insect, typically measuring between 7 and 11 millimeters in length. It features a dark brownish-black to slightly metallic head and thorax, with a robust, heavily punctate (pitted) exoskeleton. A key identifying feature is the presence of distinct pale, whitish or yellowish hair bands located on the apical (trailing) edges of its abdominal segments. Females possess dense brushes of specialized hairs (scopae) on their hind legs, which are often packed with bright yellow or orange pollen. Males are generally more slender, have much longer antennae, and display conspicuous yellow markings on their legs and lower faces.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyHalictidaeGenusHalictus

Poey'S Furrow Bee

Interesting facts

As a 'sweat bee', it has a mild sting that is virtually painless to humans, usually only stinging if it becomes accidentally trapped or squished against the skin.

For a long time, Poey's Furrow Bee was thought to be exactly the same species as the Ligated Furrow Bee (Halictus ligatus) until scientists noticed subtle differences in their genetics and wing shapes.

To survive the winter, only the newly mated queens hibernate underground, emerging in the spring to start entirely new colonies from scratch.

Special abilities

Forms underground colonies with a reproductive queen and female workers, representing a key evolutionary stepping stone between solitary and fully social bees.

Actively seeks out and laps up human or animal sweat to obtain essential minerals and moisture that are scarce in a strict nectar diet.

Digs deep, branching architectural tunnels in hard-packed dirt to create highly protected nursery chambers for their developing brood.

Measurements & details

Length: 0-1 cm
Wingspan: 1 cm
Weight: 0.00002-0.00005 kg
Lifespan: 0-1 years
Top Speed: 15 km/h
Clutch Size: 5-30
Incubation: 3-6 days

Diet & Feeding

Adults consume nectar for energy and gather pollen to provision their underground brood cells for the developing larvae.

Age differences: Larvae feed exclusively on pollen and nectar provisions left in their cell by the mother or workers; adult bees primarily consume nectar for energy.

Primary Foods

Nectar
Pollen

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

host plant

Spanish Needles

Bidens alba

Poey's Furrow Bee is a major pollinator for this common, prolific southeastern wildflower.

eaten by

Goldenrod Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

Crab spiders camouflage themselves on flower heads to ambush and consume foraging sweat bees.

parasite

Cuckoo Bee

Sphecodes spp.

Cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees sneak into the furrow bee's nest to lay their own eggs on the hard-earned pollen provisions.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Poey'S Furrow Bee?

The easiest way to identify Poey'S Furrow Bee is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Poey'S Furrow Bee?

0-1 cm

What is Poey'S Furrow Bee's wingspan?

1 cm

How much does Poey'S Furrow Bee weigh?

0.00002-0.00005 kg

How long does Poey'S Furrow Bee live?

0-1 years

How fast can Poey'S Furrow Bee move?

15 km/h

What does Poey'S Furrow Bee eat?

Adults consume nectar for energy and gather pollen to provision their underground brood cells for the developing larvae.

Where is Poey'S Furrow Bee usually found?

Found in open, sunny environments such as meadows, prairies, agricultural fields, and urban gardens where patches of bare soil are available for nesting.