Sweat Bee vs Ashy Mining Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sweat Bee | Ashy Mining Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Halictus ligatus | Andrena cineraria |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Halictidae | Andrenidae |
| Size | 7-11 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sweat Bee
A small, dark metallic bee that is attracted to human perspiration for its salt content. It exhibits variable social behavior ranging from solitary to primitively eusocial nesting.
Did You Know?
Sweat bees are among the most important wild pollinators of crops, and some species can switch between solitary and social living depending on environmental conditions.
Ashy Mining Bee
A striking black and grey solitary bee with silvery-white hair bands on its thorax. It nests in compacted soil and is one of the first bees to appear in spring.
Did You Know?
Large aggregations of hundreds of nest holes can appear suddenly on garden lawns in April.