Spined Sweat Bee vs Colorful Ichneumon

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spined Sweat Bee Colorful Ichneumon
Scientific Name Agapostemon splendens Ichneumon sarcitorius
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Halictidae Ichneumonidae
Size 9-12 mm 12-16 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spined Sweat Bee

A brilliantly iridescent green sweat bee with bluish reflections found in the eastern United States. Both sexes are entirely metallic green, unlike many other Agapostemon species.

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Did You Know?

It strongly prefers nesting in moist or damp soil near water, unlike most other sweat bees that prefer drier substrates.

Colorful Ichneumon

A medium-sized ichneumon with a black body, yellow scutellum, and orange-tipped abdomen. It is one of the most commonly recorded ichneumons in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Males are frequently seen on umbellifer flowers in late summer, making them one of the easiest ichneumons to observe.