Sweat Bee

I am just thrilled to see this. We began planting natives last summer and now we are seeing native pollinators. This one was not camera shy like one of the above commenters, so was able to get a nice photo. It was feeding from my Cow Slobber. It never bothered me and I hope we see more.

Oh, if I had anything negative to say... what a horrid common name! :)

I first saw this "bee" in my front yard acting like a honey bee on my spiderwort flower. I thought it was beautiful. Later the same week I found a small hole next to my nasturtium seedling in the back yard. I suspected a bug so I kept pouring water into the hole. Later I saw Agapostemon Virescens come out of the hole. I have heard they take care of young in the underground "burrow" - It is quite active and goes in and out a lot. I have seen two of them now. I don't know if they are mates or one of the original's young or just another individual.

First time I've ever noticed this bee in my yard, seen only three so far. Camera shy and non- aggressive, emerald- green coloration with subdued white bands on abdomen, very pretty.