Pure Green Sweat bee
Augochlora pura
While most sweat bees nest in the ground, this species is a wood-nester, carving its home into the soft, pulpy layers of rotting logs.
- Scientific name
- Augochlora pura
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hymenoptera › Halictidae › Augochlora
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forests and woodland edges, particularly where fallen, decaying logs are present for nesting.
- Diet
- Generalist pollinator; feeds on nectar and pollen from a wide variety of wildflowers and flowering trees.
- Range
- North America, Eastern United States, Central United States, Southern Canada
- Size
- 7-11 mm
- Lifespan
- 1 year
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, removal of dead wood (nesting sites), and wide-spectrum pesticide application.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and non-aggressive. They may land on your skin to drink sweat for salt; if this is bothersome, gently blow on them or brush them away. They only sting if physically squeezed. If stung, wash the area with soap and water; seek medical attention only if you experience a systemic allergic reaction.
Augochlora pura is a solitary sweat bee found primarily in the Eastern United States. It is known for its bright green color and its tendency to forage on a variety of plants. Inhabiting rotting logs, this bee can produce up to three generations per year. Both males and females have been observed licking sweat from human skin, most likely seeking salt...
Photo: Katja Schulz, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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