6 May 2019
Sweat Bee
Halictus rubicundus

While working in the garden this little bee landed on my leg and hung out there for about 10 minutes. I happened to have my camera with me and took a few shots to get a better look close up and possibly identify. Turns out it is what people commonly call a sweat bee - and rightly so. 
     In this photo you can barely see its labial palps (striped appendages in the mouth area) which according to an online source secretes a mucus that mixes with food particles (or in this case salt) and forms a ball of food, or bolus, which is then directed to the mouth by another mouthpart that acts like a broom.

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