# Sweat Bee (*Lasioglossum eleutherense*)

Sweat Bees are small bees that are attracted to sweat! They help flowers grow by pollinating them.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and fields
- **Also known as:** Halictid Bee, Sweat Bee (Halictidae)

![Sweat Bee](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424807/objects/5464.jpg)

## Appearance

The Sweat Bee is a small insect, often sporting a striking metallic green, blue, or coppery sheen, setting it apart from duller bees. Some species are black or brownish with subtle stripes. They typically have clear wings and short antennae.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Hymenoptera
- **Family:** Halictidae
- **Genus:** Lasioglossum

## Interesting facts

- Many sweat bees live all alone, not in big colonies like honeybees!
- Some sweat bees come in shiny colors like emerald green or dazzling blue, making them look like jewels!
- Sweat bees are vital pollinators, helping many flowers and crops grow fruits and seeds!
- They are called 'sweat bees' because they love to lick the salty sweat from your skin!

## Special abilities

- **Sweat Sipper:** Sweat Bee can 'sip' human sweat because of its attraction to salts, which helps them get essential minerals.
- **Fuzzy Pollinator:** Sweat Bee has hairy bodies that help them pick up and transfer pollen, making them great plant helpers.
- **Ground Dweller:** Sweat Bee can dig nests in the soil or wood, which helps them create safe homes for their eggs and larvae.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 8-16 mm
- **Size:** 4-8 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-60 days
- **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h
- **Leg Count:** 6
- **Colony Size:** 1-20

## Diet & Feeding

Sweat bees fuel up on sweet nectar and protein-rich pollen from various flowers.

- **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Water
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Common Sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) — Transfers pollen, helping sunflowers reproduce.
- **Eaten by:** Flower Crab Spider (*Misumena vatia*) — Ambushes bees visiting flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Parasitizes:** White-lipped Cuckoo Bee (*Sphecodes albilabris*) — Lays eggs in sweat bee nests, stealing their food stores.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [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)
- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify 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 Sweat Bee's wingspan?

8-16 mm

### How big is Sweat Bee?

4-8 mm

### How long does Sweat Bee live?

30-60 days

### How fast can Sweat Bee fly?

15 km/h

### What does Sweat Bee eat?

Sweat bees fuel up on sweet nectar and protein-rich pollen from various flowers.

### Where is Sweat Bee usually found?

Gardens and fields

### How does 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: [Sweat Bee: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sweat-bee)