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Halictid Bee

Green Metallic Bee line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Green Metallic Bee full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Halictid or Green Metallic Bee was completed on 11.17.2010. I had never seen one of these insects before, but when I was visiting Point Reyes National Seashore I spotted one on a plant, it's shiny metallic body reflecting the bright sunlight. They're fairly small, so it was hard to see all the details. So I consulted some of my Flickr friends who I knew would have macro shots of them. The drawing is based on a photo by Michael Hampson

Information about the Halictid Bee:

The Halictid Bee - also called a 'Sweat Bee' for the belief they are attracted to human sweat (something that is not generally believed to be actually true) - can be found throughout much of North America. They are important to the ecosystem because they're productive pollinators. They have a long, pointed tongue that is well adapted to probing into flowers and gathering nectar. Unlike honey bees who live together in a large colony, Halictid Bees are mostly solitary insects who burrow underground - although they occasionally share an entrance into their burrowing space with other Halictid Bees.