Spined Sweat Bee vs San Francisco Forktail Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spined Sweat Bee San Francisco Forktail Damselfly
Scientific Name Agapostemon splendens Ischnura gemina
Order Hymenoptera Odonata
Family Halictidae Coenagrionidae
Size 9-12 mm 2.5-3 cm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Eastern North America United States
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

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.

San Francisco Forktail Damselfly

A tiny damselfly restricted to a few freshwater ponds near the San Francisco Bay coast. It is threatened by urban encroachment and invasive plants.

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Did You Know?

This species is nearly identical to the common Pacific forktail and can only be distinguished by close examination.