The Turquoise Furrow Bee

The Turquoise Furrow Bee

(Lasioglossum cupromicans)

This is a small, shiny bee species that can be found in lots of habitats across Ireland. It makes its nests in cracks in the ground and in stone walls.

Ireland is home to a unique subspecies not found in any other country called Lasioglossum cupromicans hibernicum.

The Sweat Bees, Furrow Bees & Blood Bees

Furrow Bees and Blood Bees belong to a large family called the Halictidae which contains about 4,500 species worldwide. The group is commonly called ‘Sweat Bees’ because many tropical species of these little bees are attracted by human sweat. They are small bees with a range of lifestyles, including some social species.

There are 22 species that live in Ireland.

Some Furrow Bees are hairy (Halictus species) while others are metallic in colour (Lasioglossum species).

Blood Bees (Sphecodes species) get their name from their blood-red tails. Blood Bees lay their eggs in the nests of other bees and steal their food.