Other Common Names
Halictus sensu stricto (i.e. excluding Seladonia)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Pesenko (1984) subdivided the black (i.e. non-metallic) Halictus into many smaller subgenera, accepted as valid by Michener (2000, 2004). For visual identification it is practical to recognize a more inclusive subgenus Halictus sensu lato including the non-metallic species.
Size
usually larger than Seladonia (the metallic Halictus)
Identification
Halictus lacking metallic greenish reflections
Range
Widespread across the Holarctic
Life Cycle
Many species are eusocial, but some species are socially polymorphic depending on environment (species such as H. rubicundus tending to be more social at warmer sites and solitary at cold sites such as high in mountains)