Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee
Agopostemon virescens
The Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee is a small, striking halictid with a metallic blue-green head and thorax and, in the female, a black abdomen crossed by pale bands. In these photographs, a pollen-laden female works among the violet filaments and yellow anthers of a spiderwort flower, the warm gold of the pollen contrasting with her iridescent green body.
For identification details and comparison with similar species, see Augochlorella striata in the Field Notes section.
Emerald in the Spiderwort
Golden pollen gathers as a metallic-green bee works the violet flower.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 2000 • Aperture f/10.0 • Shutter 1/500 s
D79A0849 • Size: 3000 x 2000
Golden Cargo
Heavy with pollen, the metallic-green bee works its way through the violet flower.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 2000 • Aperture f/10.0 • Shutter 1/500 s
D79A0851 • Size: 3000 x 2000
Pollen Laden
Pale abdominal bands and heavily provisioned hind legs identify a female at work.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 2000 • Aperture f/10.0 • Shutter 1/500 s
D79A0852 • Size: 3000 x 2000
Among Violet Filaments
The bee presses into the flower’s center, dusted with newly gathered pollen.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 2000 • Aperture f/10.0 • Shutter 1/500 s
D79A0849 • Size: 3000 x 2000
Lifting from the Bloom
Wings become a silver blur as the bee leaves the spiderwort flower.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 2000 • Aperture f/10.0 • Shutter 1/500 s
D79A0857 • Size: 3000 x 2000