The Pure Green Sweat Bee is an entirely brilliant metallic emerald green bee — one of the most jewel-like insects in eastern North America. Unlike most sweat bees that nest in soil, this species excavates nests inside rotting wood. Its metallic sheen is produced by structural coloration from a nanostructured cuticle rather than pigments.
Best time to see a Pure Green Sweat Bee
The best time to see a Pure Green Sweat Bee is July–October, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,689 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Pure Green Sweat Bee? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
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