Halictidae Halictidae

Halictidae - Definition

Halictidae
Image:Halictid6265.JPG
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Subphylum:Hexapoda
Class:Insecta
Subclass:Pterygota
Infraclass:Neoptera
Superorder:Endopterygota
Order:Hymenoptera
Suborder:Apocrita
Superfamily:Apoidea
Series:Apiformes
Family:Halictidae
Subfamilies

Halictinae
Nomiinae
Nomioidinae
Rophitinae

Halictidae are a family of the order Hymenoptera of small to midsize bees which are usually dark colored, often metallic. Several species are all or part green; a few are red.

Most of the halictids nest in the ground. They are commonly referred to as halictid bees or sweat bees (especially the smaller, black species) which seem attracted to perspiration and, when pinched, can give a minor sting.

Most halictid species are pollen feeders and important pollinators. A few species in the genus Sphecodes are wasp-like in appearance and live as cleptoparasites of other bees.

green sweat bee (Halictidae)
Enlarge
green sweat bee (Halictidae)

Some genera:

  • Halictus
  • Augochloropsis
  • Agapostemon
  • Augochlorella
  • Augochloropsis
  • Sphecodes
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