Halictidae
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Halictidae is the second-largest family of bees with nearly 4,500 species. They are commonly called sweat bees, as they are often attracted to perspiration. Halictid species are an extremely diverse g
Halictus scabiosae MHNT
Systropha planidens, a specialist pollinator of Convolvulus
A male Halictus rubicundus with its tongue out, licking sweat
Agapostemon sp.
Eusociality
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Eusociality is the highest level of organization of sociality. It is defined by the following characteristics: cooperative brood care, overlapping generations within a colony of adults, and a division
Halictidae
…arcuate (strongly curved) basal vein found on the wing. Females in this family tend to be larger than the males. They are the group for which the term eusocial was coined by entomologist Suzanne Batra. Most halictids nest in the ground, often in habitats like clay soil and river banks, though a few nest in…
Co-operative brood rearing, seen here in honeybees, is a condition of eusociality.
Suzanne Batra introduced the term "eusocial" after studying nesting in Halictid bees including Halictus latisignatus, pictured.
Weaver ants, here collaborating to pull nest leaves together, can be considered eusocial, as they have a permanent division of labor.
Swarming Iridomyrmex purpureus ants. The young queens are black, winged, and much larger than the wingless workers.