# Fine striped sweat bee

*Agapostemon subtilior*

Females of this species are brilliant metallic green, while males often have yellow-and-black striped abdomens, mimicking wasps for protection.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hymenoptera › Halictidae › Agapostemon
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Open meadows, prairies, gardens, and forest edges with abundant wildflowers.
- **Diet:** Generalist nectar and pollen feeder, visiting a wide variety of floral hosts.
- **Range:** Western North America, United States, Canada, Mexico
- **Size:** 7 to 12 millimeters in length.
- **Lifespan:** Approximately 1 year; adult activity lasts a few weeks to months.
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Pesticide use, habitat fragmentation, and loss of native flowering plants.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless and non-aggressive. They may land on skin to lick salt from sweat; do not swat, simply brush away gently. Stings are rare and mild, but those with bee allergies should use caution. If stung, wash the area with soap and water.

## About

Agapostemon subtilior is a North American species of sweat bee commonly known as the fine striped sweat bee .

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/49abfc4e-c9aa-4ab4-8ded-0cb0501267d2
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1581467
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agapostemon_subtilior
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/316958384/medium.jpg (Don Loarie, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.