Little Sweat Bees (Genus Lasioglossum)

Size: Very Small to Small (3.5 – 8 mm) {Size Comparison – the average honeybee is 13 mm}

Color: Dull metallic green head and thorax, with brown or black abdomen

Type of Flight: Very fast, nearly invisible flight due to their small size

Distinguishing Characteristics:
(1) Very abundant small size bees, often mistaken for flies

(2) Pollen-carrying hairs (scopa) are on the first half of the hind legs (femur)

(3) Most species appear dull, metallic- green

(4) Banded on abdomen at the base of each segment, versus banding at the beginning of each segment (such as with the Genus Halictus)

Abundance in Georgia: Extremely Common

Typically Found in Georgia: Late February to November

Pollination Value: High (Often present in high numbers in orchards and farms)

Plants Associated with: All flowering plants (Generalist – not specific to any type of plant)

Nesting Habitat: These bees nest in the ground. The nest size and design significantly vary from species to species. Sweat bees may be solitary, communal, or colonial (eusocial). Eusocial bees may form colonies with a dozen to hundreds of individuals.

Classification: Family: Halictidae Genus: Lasioglossum (sub-genus Dialictus)

Number of Species in Georgia: 101 species
Number of Species in the Unites States: 179 species

Photos taken by Sam Droege and staff at the USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory (Used with permission)
–> Click on the photo to enlarge the image

Photos taken in apple orchard by Mark Schlueter 

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