Augochlora pura

Augochlora pura
Female Augochlora pura
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Halictidae
Genus: Augochlora
Species:
A. pura
Binomial name
Augochlora pura
(Say, 1837)
Synonyms
  • Halictus purus Say, 1837
  • Augochlora festiva Smith, 1853
  • Augochlora robertsoni Cockerell, 1897
  • Augochlora banksiella Cockerell, 1907
  • Halictus astios Vachal, 1911
  • Halictus fuscatipes Vachal, 1911
  • Halictus asaphes Vachal, 1911
  • Augochlora palmarum Cockerell, 1922
  • Augochlora mosieri Cockerell, 1922

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. [1]

Augochlora pura was recently suggested the common name Pure Green Sweat Bee, but about it has been written that "...it does not seem to need one with such a musical scientific designation that means 'pure golden green.'"[2]

  1. ^ Barrows, E. M. 1974. Aggregation behavior and response to sodium chloride in females of a solitary bee, Augochlora pura (Hymenoptera: Halictidae). Florida Entomol. 57: 189–193.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference usfsAugopura was invoked but never defined (see the help page).