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Halictus


Photo by Ron Hemberger

Halictus – sweat bees (family Halictidae)
by Lisa Schonberg and Mace Vaughan (Xerces Society) and Gretchen LeBuhn (SFSU)

Genus summary: Halictus is a widespread and abundant genus that occurs in both the New World and Old World. There are about 25 species in North and South America (Michener 2000), and 3 species are known from New York State (Danforth & Magnacca 2002). Halictus are in the tribe Halictini with the closely related genera Lasioglossum and Agapostemon. These genera are all called “sweat bees” because they are attracted to human sweat and drink it for its salt content.

Floral relations: Most Halictus are generalist foragers and commonly forage at twilight (Stephens et al).
Nesting habits: Almost all Halictus in North America are semi-social ground nesters (Michener 1994, O’Toole & Raw 1999). Daughters in social colonies remain in the nest and help care for the young. Some species have small nests with a single queen and a few workers whereas other species build long-lived nests with multiple queens and hundreds of workers.

Diagnostic characteristics: Halictus are small to large and .2 to .6 inches long (Michener 2000). They are dark and many species have a metallic green sheen. They have bands of hair on their abdomen. Females carry pollen on brushes of hair (scopa) on their hind legs.

Similar taxa: Lasioglossum are similar to Halictus but can be distinguished by the location of hair bands on the segments of their abdomen. Lasioglossum has bands of hair on the innermost portion of each segment, whereas Halictus has bands of hair on the outermost portion of each segment (Michener 2000).

Known conservation concerns: Two Halictus species are on the Xerces Society Red List of Pollinator Insects. Halictus harmonius is listed as Critically Imperiled; it has a very limited range, and has only been collected in the foothills of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains in southern California. Its remaining habitat is threatened by urbanization, agricultural expansion, and pollution from Los Angeles. H.pinguismentus is known from only 4 specimens collected approximately 100 years ago from its only known habitat, Guadeloupe Island off the coast of Baja California.

Interesting fact:
Additional resources:
Keys to Halictus at Discover Life

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