I think this is some kind of bee. It is definitely smaller than a honeybee. What kind is it?
Hack
CLOSED: Bee or Fly?
Another look at it.
Hack
It's a bee all right, but not a species that I recognize off hand. If I can find anything more definitive, I'll get back to this thread.
Thanks suunto, I'll be watching and I'll keep looking, too.
suunto, the mystery is solved: it is a Sweat Bee.
Background - Sweat bees belong to the family Halictidae, order Hymenoptera. The common eastern sweat bee is Dialictus zephrum, that's mine.
http://www.everythingabout.net/articles/biology/animals/arthropods/insects/bees/sweat_bee/
Hack
Although this could be a halictid (there's something about its overall appearance that keeps me from being 100% confident of that), it does not appear to be Dialictus zephrum - see http://tinyurl.com/2d45eeo for an image of that species. I believe that the image in the link you provided simply was intended to serve as a representative of the family Halictidae.
Hi suunto, I do see the pretty metallic green of your example, but what make me think it was Dialictus zephrum was the bit in the link I provided that said "They are generally black or metallic colored, and some are brilliant green or brassy yellow. Sweat bees are among the most common bees wherever bees are found, except in Australia, where they are relatively uncommon."
when I read ......generally black or metallic colored..... and ....among the most common bees wherever bees are found ..... I went with Dialictus zephrum.
Hack
suunto, take a look at these:
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/66285198
and
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/43074624
They are Sphecodes sp. Mine may belong to genus Sphecodes. Don't know the species.
Hack
Do you agree that it is at least a Sweat Bee?
Hack
Although the wing venation (in particular, the strongly curved basal vein in the forewing) appeared consistent with it being a halictid, its overall appearance (the gestalt, if you will) seemed atypical to me when I first looked at your images. I am satisfied now with it being in the family Halictidae, but would be very hesitant to place it in the genus Sphecodes based solely on Murray's images.
Okay, thanks suunto.
Hack
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