Halictidae is the second-largest family of bees with nearly 4,500 species. They are commonly called sweat bees, as they are often attracted to perspiration. Halictid species are an extremely diverse group that can vary greatly in appearance. These bees occur all over the world and are found on every continent except Antarctica. Usually dark-colored and often metallic, halictids are found in various sizes, colors and patterns. Several species are all or partly green and a few are red, purple, or blue. A number of them have yellow markings, especially the males, which commonly have yellow faces, a pattern widespread among the various families of bees. The family is one of many with short tongues and is best distinguished by the arcuate basal vein found on the wing. Females in this family tend to be larger than the males. They are the group for which the term 'eusocial' was first coined by entomologist, Suzanne Batra.
The genus Agapostemon is a common group of Western Hemisphere sweat bees.
Agapostemon texanus is a species of bee found in North America. Commonly known as the metallic green sweat bee or the Texas striped sweat bee, it varies greatly in its appearance, with variations in color and in the amount of black markings on the legs.
Centris atripes is a species of centridine bee in the family Apidae. It is found in Central America and North America. It is a pollinator of Krameria erecta as well as Senna wislizeni of the painteri variety, which it pollinates during the rainy season.
Agapostemon melliventris, the honey-tailed striped sweat bee, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Agapostemon angelicus is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae native to North America. Unlike apid bees, members of the Halictidae family are not honey-producers, although they still are pollinators.
Lasioglossum coriaceum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. A common name is leathery sweat bee.
Agapostemon sericeus, the silky striped sweat bee, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Lasioglossum versatum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. A common name is Experienced sweat bee.
Agapostemon coloradinus is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Lasioglossum albipenne, the white-winged metallic-sweat bee, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Nomada articulata is a species of nomad bee in the family Apidae. It is found in North America. It is a parasite of Agapostemon sericeus bees.
Halictus tripartitus is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is partially eusocial, with nests connected underground and some workers capable of reproducing. The species is a pollinator of Silene spaldingii.
Agapostemon tyleri is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Agapostemon femoratus is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Agapostemon splendens, the brown-winged striped sweat bee, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Agapostemon obliquus is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Agapostemon nasutus is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
Augochlorella aurata is a primitively eusocial species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is one of three species of Augochlorella found east of the Rocky Mountains in North America. The body is a brilliant green metallic color, diffused to varying extents with a copper, red, or yellow color. A. aurata is a generalist pollen feeder and likely an important pollinator for some horticultural crops. A common name is golden green sweat bee.
Symphyotrichum firmum, commonly known as shining aster, shiny-leaved aster, smooth swamp aster, and glossy-leaved aster, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae native to Canada and the United States.
