Green Bees in Florida: A Guide to Native and Introduced Species

Florida is home to over 300 bee species, including some brightly colored metallic green bees. While most are native species, a few exotic green bees have become established in recent years. This article explores the most common green bees found buzzing around the Sunshine State.

Native Green Bees

Several types of vibrant green bees are native to Florida These include

Augochlora Sweat Bees

The genus Augochlora contains small strikingly emerald-colored sweat bees. There are around 50 Augochlora species in North America. Some found in Florida are Augochlora pura and Augochlora pictifrons.

These tiny bees have a metallic green head and thorax contrasting with a black-and-white striped abdomen They make solitary nests in rotten wood or stems and are important pollinators of flowers like squash and pumpkin

Agapostemon Sweat Bees

Agapostemon sweat bees are striped green and black. Species in Florida include the metallic green bee Agapostemon splendens and the bright green striped sweat bee Agapostemon virescens.

These ground-nesting bees pollinate plants in the pea family like clover. Though the females can sting, they are not aggressive.

Euglossa Orchid Bees

Florida has one native Euglossa orchid bee, Eulaema cingulata. The males are a shimmering bright green. They collect fragrant compounds from orchids to attract mates.

Orchid bees are specialized pollinators of orchid flowers. The single species in Florida has a small range limited to southern Florida and the Keys.

Introduced Green Bees

Two exotic green bee species, both in the Euglossa genus, have become established in Florida:

Euglossa viridissima

Euglossa viridissima, also called the green orchid bee, hails from Central America. It was first detected in Fort Lauderdale in 2003. Males of this species have a brilliant metallic green body.

Though it partners with orchids in its native range, E. viridissima survives in Florida collecting fragrances from plants like basil, citrus blossoms, and rotten wood. It is now widespread in South Florida.

Euglossa dilemma

Euglossa dilemma is a newly described cryptic species similar to E. viridissima. It has a glossy green body and was likely accidentally introduced from Mexico.

First discovered in Broward County in 2003, E. dilemma is established in South Florida. It gathers fragrant compounds from flowers and fungi without needing specific orchids to reproduce.

Identifying Green Bees

Here are some tips for identifying green bees in Florida:

• Size – Orchid bees are large, around the size of honeybees. Sweat bees are much smaller, under 1⁄2 inch long.

• Wings – Orchid bees have darkened wings while sweat bees have transparent wings.

• Legs – Male orchid bees have special pouches on their hind legs for storing floral scents. Sweat bees have pollen baskets on the hind legs.

• Behavior – Orchid bees are fast fliers that dart from flower to flower. Sweat bees move more slowly and methodically.

• Stinger – Female orchid and sweat bees have stingers, males do not. But neither is very aggressive.

Benefits of Green Bees

Though new to Florida, introduced orchid bees like E. viridissima and E. dilemma are already contributing as pollinators. They gather pollen and nectar fromnative plants like porterweed, blackbead, and Spanish needle.

Native green bees play a vital role pollinating wildflowers, gardens, and agricultural crops in Florida. Providing habitat can help conserve green bee populations.

Green bees highlight the diversity of Florida’s bees. Learning to identify them reveals a hidden world of metallic insects supporting ecosystems through tireless pollination. Watching green bees visit flowers shows nature’s intricate connections at work.