Sweat bee identification (Halictus / Lasioglossum spp.)


Insect identifier · Ants, bees, and wasps

How to identify a Sweat bee

Halictus / Lasioglossum spp.
· Also called halictus, small green bee, sweatbee

Sweat bee identification photo

People searching “what does a sweat bee look like” or “sweat bee bite” want a field ID, not a scare. Sweat bee (Halictus / Lasioglossum spp.) is a ants bees wasps in this guide. Also called halictus, small green bee, sweatbee.

Tiny metallic bees on a sweaty forearm are sweat bees.

What does a sweat bee look like?

Sweat bee is Small, often 5–10 mm. Colors people notice: green, black, gold. Field marks: Often metallic green or small and dark; Attracted to sweaty skin; On flowers, not soda.

Sweat bee is Small, often 5–10 mm. Colors people notice: green, black, gold. Field marks: Often metallic green or small and dark; Attracted to sweaty skin; On flowers, not soda. If the marks fail, open the look-alike pages before forcing this name.

Identification marks

  • Often metallic green or small and dark
  • Attracted to sweaty skin
  • On flowers, not soda

Size: Small, often 5–10 mm
Colors: green, black, gold
Where: outdoor

What a typical sweat bee bite looks like

Typical sweat bee bite or sting
A typical pattern. Reactions vary. This is a guide photo, not a diagnosis.

A small prick if one is pinched against skin. Mild welt. Wash with soap and water Cool compress

A small prick if one is pinched against skin. Mild welt. Fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing needs a clinician.

If you were bitten

  1. Wash with soap and water
  2. Cool compress
  3. Itch relief on intact skin only
  4. Seek care for fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing

Sweat bee vs Honey bee

Sweat bee: small, often green, on skin or flowers. Yellowjacket: larger, shiny yellow-black, on meat and soda.

Range and season

Sweat bee is active warm sunny days. Typical places: garden, yard. Small bees attracted to sweat. Some are metallic green. Sting is mild compared with a yellowjacket.

Gardens continent-wide in summer.

Small bees attracted to sweat. Some are metallic green. Sting is mild compared with a yellowjacket.

Warm sunny days

Common questions

Do sweat bees sting?

Females can, usually only if pressed against skin. The sting is mild.

Green bee in the garden?

Often a sweat bee, not a wasp.

Related identification pages