Sweat and furrow bees

Overview

Halictinae is a very common and widespread subfamily of bees called sweat and furrow bees. It is the largest subfamily of sweat bees, with more than 3,695 currently recognized species in 82 genera worldwide, about 400 species in 13 genera in North America north of Mexico, and at least 58 species in at least 13 genera Minnesota.

Most Halictinae nest in burrows in the ground, often on the banks of streams and rivers. Sometimes they nest close together in large numbers. Some of the smaller species are attracted to sweat and are called sweat bees..

Description

Adults are 3⁄16″ to ⅝″ (5 to 15 mm) in length.

The tongue is short. On the face, a single line-like groove extends downward from the base of each antenna (subantennal suture).

On the forewing there are three submarginal cells. The basal vein on the forewing is strongly curved (arced) inward. This last feature distinguishes Halictinae bees from nearly all other bees in North America.