# Augochlorella

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{{Short description|Genus of bees}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Augochlorella aurata 1563.jpg
| image_caption = ''[Augochlorella aurata](/source/Augochlorella_aurata)''
| image_alt = 
| taxon = Augochlorella
| authority = Sandhouse, 1937
}}

'''''Augochlorella''''' is a genus in the [bee](/source/bee) family [Halictidae](/source/Halictidae), commonly called '''sweat bees'''.<ref name=guide>{{Cite web|url=https://bugguide.net/node/view/83085 |title=Genus Augochlorella |website=BugGuide.Net |access-date=21 April 2019}}</ref> They display metallic coloration, ranging from reddish to gold to bluish green, as is typical for other genera in the tribe [Augochlorini](/source/Augochlorini).

== Identification and appearance ==
''Augochlorella'' are very small sweat bees that are easily confused with the related genus ''[Augochlora](/source/Augochlora)'' but differentiated by the pointed tip of the [marginal cell](/source/Insect_wing) (squared off in ''Augochlora''), an [orthogonal epistomal sulcus](/source/Insect_morphology), and no strong [basal lobe](/source/Insect_morphology) on the inner [metatibial spur](/source/Insect_morphology).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/18224085.pdf|title=Classification of the bee tribe Augochlorini (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) |last=Engel|first=Michael|date=18 April 2019|website=core.ac.uk}}</ref>''.'' These features can only be viewed under a microscope.<ref name="guide" />[[File:Augochlorella pomoniella, F, Side, Zion Nation Park, Utah 2013-12-30-14.28.34 ZS PMax.jpg|thumb|''[Augochlorella pomoniella](/source/Augochlorella_pomoniella)'']]

==Origin and distribution==
The tribe Augochlorini is distributed between northern Argentina to southern Canada, but mostly concentrated to the tropics of the Americas. They are the most abundant bees in the [Neotropical](/source/Neotropical_realm) fauna.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Coelho|first=B. W. T.|date=2004|title=A review of the bee genus ''Augochlorella'' (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Augochlorini)|journal=Systematic Entomology|volume=29|issue=3|pages=282–323|doi=10.1111/j.0307-6970.2004.00243.x|bibcode=2004SysEn..29..282C |issn=1365-3113}}</ref> Only a few species of ''Augochlorella'' reach the temperate [Nearctic](/source/Nearctic_realm) region. ''[Augochlorella striata](/source/Augochlorella_striata)'' occurs further north than any other member of the tribe.<ref name=packer>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.yorku.ca/bugsrus/resources/publications/1990%20Packer.pdf|title=Solitary and eusocial nests in a population of ''Augochlorella striata'' (Provaneher) (Hymenoptera; Halictidae) at the northern edge of its range |last=Packer |first=Laurence |journal=Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology |date=September 1990 |volume=27 |number=5|pages=339–344 |access-date=21 April 2019|doi=10.1007/BF00164004 |bibcode=1990BEcoS..27..339P }}</ref>

==Sexual dimorphism==
Both sexes of ''Augochlorella'' have an average length of {{cvt|7|to|9|mm}}, but males are more slender than females, and have relatively longer antennae.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Augochlorella+pomoniella&flags=subgenus|title=''Augochlorella pomoniella'' Identification}}</ref><ref name=guide />

== Sociality ==
''Augochlorella'' bees are often eusocial, unlike many other Augochlorini, which are typically either [solitary](/source/Solitary_bee) or [semisocial](/source/Sociality).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/Muelleru/pubs/Mueller_JKansasEntSoc_1996.pdf|title=Life history and social evolution of the primitively eusocial bee ''Augochlorella striata''|last=Mueller|first=Ulrich G.}}</ref>

An example of sociality in this genus is ''[Augochlorella aurata](/source/Augochlorella_aurata)'' which contains a mixture of solitary and social [nest](/source/nest) foundresses. These fertile colony-establishing females produce an initial [brood](/source/Bee_brood) of 1-2 worker bees, which are female, before switching to a male-biased brood, while others produce males first. Female-biased broods can also occur in both solitary and eusocial nests, but that is less common.<ref name=packer /> In this and other [eusocial](/source/Eusociality) species, [workers](/source/Worker_bee) are mostly sterile and slightly smaller than their mothers. ''Augochlorella aurata'' tends to be solitary at high altitudes and latitudes. It's also more often solitary in environments where the growing season is shorter, but if the growing season is longer than the species tends to be social. This tendency to base their sociality on the growing season can also be found in other bee species as well as in some species of spiders.<ref name="packer" /> A [maritime](/source/The_Maritimes) Canadian climate can lead to reduced duration of brood production, fewer workers per nest, and fewer reproductive bees. Additionally, nest foundresses may produce a mixture of workers and reproductively-capable bees based on these conditions.<ref name="packer" />

== Nesting ==
''Augochlorella'' nests can be found in fields as well as wooded locations; well-drained areas, in a wide variety of habitats.<ref name=":3" /> The ground is usually flat or sloped and mostly bare.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sharpeatmanguides.com/sweat-bees|title=Green sweat bees|website=bee-ny-dec-2018|language=en|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> The nests are underground, and the bees create a cavity with a cluster of cells made of soil. There are many ways that bees construct their nests, but usually they excavate the cavity first and then create brood cells within that cavity. The cluster of cells is supported by additional pillars of soil. The burrow tends to be vertical and it can be anywhere from 5 to 25&nbsp;cm deep; the depth of the burrow depends on how moist the soil is.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Ordway|first=Ellen|date=1964|title=''Sphecodes pimpinellae'' and other enemies of ''Augochlorella'' (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)|journal=Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society|volume=37|issue=2|pages=139–152|issn=0022-8567|jstor=25083373}}</ref>

In part of its range, the species ''Augochlorella aurata'' is active from the start of April until the end of September. Females construct [pollen](/source/pollen) balls, the sole food source for the offspring, starting the second week of May until the middle of August, and workers start expanding the nests in mid June.<ref name=packer /> Queens start making their nests in the middle of April, and usually finish up around the first week of May. The number of cells the bees manage to make varies according to how many worker bees are present in the nest, but usually it is around three cells per female. After they lay the first set of eggs, there is a two-week period of inactivity, and then another set is laid.<ref name=":2" /> The mean number of brood cells within the nests increases gradually during the summer, reaching a maximum of 12. Only a few cells are used twice and the number of offspring produced per nest average between 14 and 15, which shows that brood cells are not reused often.<ref name=":2" /> ''Augochlorella aurata'' and ''[Augochlorella persimilis](/source/Augochlorella_persimilis)'' can sometimes occur together in mixed aggregations.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ordway|first=Ellen|date=1966|title=The bionomics of ''Augochlorella striata'' and ''A. persimilis'' in eastern Kansas (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)|journal=Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society|volume=39|issue=2|pages=270–313|issn=0022-8567|jstor=25083518}}</ref>

== Ecological and economic importance ==
The genus ''Augochlorella'' consists of generalist pollinators, and visit plants such as ''[Apocynum cannabinum](/source/Apocynum_cannabinum)'', ''[Erigeron strigosus](/source/Erigeron_strigosus)'', ''[Pycnanthemum tenuifolium](/source/Pycnanthemum_tenuifolium),'' ''[Solidago odora](/source/Solidago_odora)'', and ''[Euthamia graminifolia](/source/Euthamia_graminifolia)''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.byobeez.org/uploads/3/1/1/4/31144931/wisconsin_native_bee_guide.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501153909/https://www.byobeez.org/uploads/3/1/1/4/31144931/wisconsin_native_bee_guide.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 1, 2019|title=The Bees in Your Backyard|last=Stanislawski|first=Emily|date=2018|website=Byobeez}}</ref>

''Augochlorella aurata'' is found in [Rockefeller State Park Preserve](/source/Rockefeller_State_Park_Preserve) in [Westchester County, New York](/source/Westchester_County%2C_New_York) where they can be seen pollinating [dogbane](/source/dogbane), [fleabane](/source/fleabane), [mountain mint](/source/mountain_mint), wild roses, and [goldenrod](/source/goldenrod). Wild bees can be important pollinators in cities like New York and keep gardens and parks healthy.<ref name=":1" /> ''Augochlorella aurata'' is also an important pollinator for many wildflowers and crops, including [stone fruit](/source/stone_fruit)s, [pome fruit](/source/pome_fruit)s, [alfalfa](/source/alfalfa), sunflower, pepper, strawberry, tomato and watermelon plants, making this species very valuable for commercial fruit and vegetable farming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://articles.extension.org/pages/26310/identification-of-native-bees|title=Identification of Native Bees - eXtension|website=articles.extension.org|access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref><ref name="ufl">{{Cite web|url=http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/bees/halictid_bees.htm|title=Sweat or halictid bees |website=Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida |access-date=21 April 2019}}</ref> In general, sweat bee populations will increase in an area if there are wildflowers and nesting areas available for them.<ref name="ufl" />

== Parasites ==
The family Halictidae contains a few social [parasites](/source/Parasitism) and [kleptoparasitic](/source/kleptoparasitic) bee genera, and these parasites affect the genus ''Augochlorella'' as well. Some prominent cleptoparasites include ''[Sphecodes](/source/Sphecodes)'' (like ''[Sphecodes pimpinellae](/source/Sphecodes_pimpinellae)''), ''[Microsphecodes](/source/Microsphecodes)'', and some ''[Lasioglossum](/source/Lasioglossum)'' species. ''Sphecodes'' females will typically kill the existing ''Augochlorella'' egg or larva in the cell before they lay their own egg. In most other cleptoparasitic species, eggs are laid on the unfinished cell walls or through sealed cells where the cleptoparasite larva will kill the existing egg or larva and eat the host's stored food.<ref name=ufl />

Mite associations with ''Augochlorella'' include ''[Laelaspoides ordwayae](/source/Laelaspoides_ordwayae)'', which are kleptoparasites that feed on pollen stored in brood cells. Although ''Laelospoides'' usually do not harm the developing bee directly, the bee is harmed since there is less food available for it to consume.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://idtools.org/id/mites/beemites/factsheet.php?name=15253|title=''Laelaspoides'' {{!}} Bee Mite ID|website=idtools.org|access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref>

== Predators ==
''Augochlorella'' has many general predators including birds, [asilid flies](/source/Asilidae), and spiders.<ref name=":2" />

== Flight ==
The typical flight distance for ''Augochlorella aurata'' is 66-230 yd. (60-210 m).<ref name=":0" />

==Species==
There are currently 17 described species of ''Augochlorella'':<ref name=":0" />

*''[Augochlorella acarinata](/source/Augochlorella_acarinata)'' <small>Coelho, 2004</small>
*''[Augochlorella aurata](/source/Augochlorella_aurata)'' <small>(Smith, 1853) [= ''Augochlorella striata'']</small> 
*''[Augochlorella bracteata](/source/Augochlorella_bracteata)'' <small>Ordway, 1966</small>
*''[Augochlorella comis](/source/Augochlorella_comis)'' <small>(Vachal, 1911)</small>
*''[Augochlorella ephyra](/source/Augochlorella_ephyra)'' <small>(Schrottky, 1910)</small>
*''[Augochlorella gratiosa](/source/Augochlorella_gratiosa)'' <small>(Smith, 1853)</small>
*''[Augochlorella iopoecila](/source/Augochlorella_iopoecila)'' <small>Moure, 1950</small>
*''[Augochlorella iphigenia](/source/Augochlorella_iphigenia)'' <small>(Holmberg, 1886)</small>
*''[Augochlorella karankawa](/source/Augochlorella_karankawa)'' <small>Coelho, 2004</small>
*''[Augochlorella meridionalis](/source/Augochlorella_meridionalis)'' <small>Coelho, 2004</small>
*''[Augochlorella neglectula](/source/Augochlorella_neglectula)'' <small>(Cockerell, 1897)</small>
*''[Augochlorella persimilis](/source/Augochlorella_persimilis)'' <small>(Viereck, 1910)</small>
*''[Augochlorella pomoniella](/source/Augochlorella_pomoniella)'' <small>(Cockerell, 1915)</small>
*''[Augochlorella stenothoracica](/source/Augochlorella_stenothoracica)'' <small>Coelho, 2004</small>
*''[Augochlorella tredecim](/source/Augochlorella_tredecim)'' <small>(Vachal, 1911)</small>
*''[Augochlorella una](/source/Augochlorella_una)'' <small>Coelho, 2004</small>
*''[Augochlorella urania](/source/Augochlorella_urania)'' <small>(Smith, 1853)</small>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* "Phylogenetic relationships among superfamilies of Hymenoptera", Sharkey M.J., Carpenter J.M., Vilhelmsen L., et al. 2012. ''Cladistics'' 28(1): 80–112.
* Arnett, Ross H. (2000). ''American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico''. CRC Press.
* Michener, Charles D. (2000). ''The Bees of the World'', xiv + 913.
* Michener, Charles D. (2007). ''The Bees of the World, Second Edition'', xvi + 953.
* Sharkey M.J. (2007). ''Phylogeny and Classification of Hymenoptera''.

{{commons category|Augochlorella|position=left}}{{taxonbar|from=Q14467778}}

Category:Halictidae
Category:Bee genera

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Augochlorella](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augochlorella) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augochlorella?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.