Spined Sweat Bee vs Twig Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spined Sweat Bee Twig Ant
Scientific Name Agapostemon splendens Pseudomyrmex gracilis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Halictidae Formicidae
Size 9-12 mm 8-10 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Eastern North America North America, Central America, South America
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.

Twig Ant

A slender fast-moving ant that nests in hollow twigs and delivers a painful sting.

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Did You Know?

It has excellent vision and can spot approaching threats from several centimeters away.