Is this a mason bee? - Agapostemon virescens - BugGuide.Net

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Apoidea (clade Anthophila) - Bees » Sweat, Furrow, Nomiine, and Short-faced Bees (Halictidae) » Sweat and Furrow Bees (Halictinae) » Halictini » Striped Sweat Bees (Agapostemon) » Subgenus Agapostemon (Agapostemon Subgenus Agapostemon) » Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee (Agapostemon virescens)

Photo#195595

Copyright © 2008 katewoodle

Is this a mason bee? - Agapostemon virescens -

Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, USA
June 29, 2008
Size: 3/8"

Images of this individual: tag all

Is this a mason bee? - Agapostemon virescens - female

Is this a mason bee? - Agapostemon virescens

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Contributed by katewoodle on 29 June, 2008 - 4:09pm
Last updated 13 September, 2010 - 6:10pm

Moved

Moved from Metallic Green Bees.

… John S. Ascher, 24 November, 2009 - 8:24pm

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No, "sweat bee"

This is a "sweat bee" in the genus Agapostemon, family Halictidae. There is a branching burrow under that mound:-) More than one female may share a burrow entrance, but that is about as social as these solitary bees get. This might be Agapostemon virescens, one of the few species in which females are not wholly metallic green. Neat images!

… Eric R. Eaton, 29 June, 2008 - 7:34pm

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sweat bees

They do look like they could be Agapostemon virescens. I know that there were at least two using the mound (although it could be two separate nests, side by side) because I saw two bees at the entrances at the same time.I never saw more than two, though so it could have been the same two bees flying back and forth.

Thanks for the info!
Kate

… katewoodle, 29 June, 2008 - 10:16pm

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Aren't they the coolest?

I have a couple of nests of them in my yard, and watch their comings and goings. Below, a link to picture one of a series here on bugguide, and then another link to my green bees. I never tire of that jewel-like green color.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/125159

http://picasaweb.google.com/aeburton/Bees

… Anne Burton, 2 July, 2008 - 5:15pm

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sweat bees

Yes, they are cool. We watched one kicking dirt, rear end first, out of the tunnel this evening. Your photos are great!

Kate

… katewoodle, 2 July, 2008 - 8:06pm

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