sweat bee

noun

1. any of several bees of the family Halictidae that are attracted by perspiration.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweat bee¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

People involved with the project have observed numerous native insects, including honeybees and native bumble bees, hover flies and a lone sweat bee.

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Smith’s depiction of a blanketflower and a sweat bee was chosen by a panel of judges.

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I have come to distinguish between the tiniest bees and wasps and consider it a thrill when a tiny, iridescent sweat bee lands on the back of my hand for a quick slurp.

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Now, a study suggests that, in the inconspicuous sweat bee, changes to the expression of a single gene could determine which bees are solitary and which are social.

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But the tiny, gentle bees have some interesting social arrangements: In some groups and species, workers help a reproducing queen, as honey bees do; in other groups, sweat bee females tend their own broods.

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