SHARP-EATMAN
NATURE
PHOTOGRAPHY
ID GUIDE TO FLORIDA NATIVE BEES - ID Page #F B-6
STRIPED GREEN SWEAT BEES
Agapostemon splendens
Dark-winged Agapostemon
Agapostemon splendens
Family: Halictidae
Size: 10 (female); 11 mm (male)
Associated plants:
Rain of gold (male)
(Glauphimia glauca)
October, 2018 (male)
Palm Coast, Florida
Flagler County
Sawtooth blackberry (female)
Rubus argatus
March 25, 2024
Gainesville, Florida
Alachua County
FEMALE: This is a 12 mm dark-winged Agapostemon female found feeding on sawtooth blackberry (Rubus argatus) growing in sandy soil bordering pine woods. This female’s head and thorax are more golden than green. Its eyes are gray. The bee looked bright gold in sunlight. (Other females of this species that we've encountered in Florida are greener, with greenish eyes.) This femlae was identified by John Ascher on I-naturalist here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/215167213
MALE:
This is a male splendid agapostemon (Agaostemon splendens) found visiting Galphimia glauca on October 9, 2018, in Palm Coast Florida.
This was identified on Bug Guide, but you removed it.
– NOTE THAT THE DLD KEY DOES NOT RESULT in a means to differentiate Agapostemon splendens from other common Agaostemon such as A. serieus.
These species are found in Florida: A. splendens, A. sericeus and A. vierescens.
According to bu guide, use these details to ID mmale Agaostemon splendens:
Males: Hind femora robust, thickened, only about twice as long as the greatest width.
Dark wings, not clear.
A female splendid Agapostemon
These bees' dark wings readily distinguish them from other green metallic bees. Another common name for this species is "Brown-winged striped sweat bee".
Male splendid Agapostemons have brilliant green thorazes and heads, and striped black-and-yellow abdomens.
The bee's face is green. There are yellow markings on its clypeus (above the jaws), jaws and antenna scapes.
The male bees' legs are yellow with black markings
A female Agaposteon splendens: this bee had a bright gold appearance -- rather than the green more typical of this species.
Alternate view of female bee
Face of female bee: this female has gray eyes
View of vertex and thorax
Alternate view of face and thorax
A male dark-winged Agapostemon
A female dark-winged Agapostemon with gold coloration
A female dark-winged Agapostemon with bright green coloration