Michigan insects in the garden – Week 2: Green bees

Bright green bees are flying under the radar in your garden. With the upcoming arrival of Pollinator Week, the next insect group Michigan gardeners should know about are the green virescent sweat bees. Eight species of green bees call Michigan home and they belong to the genera Agapostemon, Augochlora, Augochlorella, and Augochloropsis. While not all sweat bees are green, this group of insects obtains their name from their tendency to use the salts of human perspiration for nutrition. Less than a half-inch in size, all species of green bees are solitary except for Augochlorella aurata.