Representative Genera
- Halictus – Black bees with pale bands, very common and active throughout the summer.
- Lasioglossum – Numerous small bees, often difficult to identify, sometimes social.
- Sphecodes – Red and black parasitic bees, cleptoparasites of other Halictidae.
- Nomia, Systropha – Less common genera, sometimes highly floral-specialized.
Habitat
Halictidae are found in:
- Dry lawns and flower-rich meadows
- Gardens, roadsides, fallow lands
- Dunes, embankments, well-exposed bare soils
- Low-intensity farmland
Biology
- Varied social behaviors:
- Solitary, communal, semi-social, or eusocial depending on the species
- Nesting:
- Bare or lightly vegetated soils
- Cells lined with secretions to protect pollen stores
- Parasites:
- Presence of cleptoparasitic genera (Sphecodes) laying eggs in other halictid nests
Distinctive Features
- Long seasonal activity (spring to autumn)
- Frequent metallic appearance, especially among small species
- Generalist pollinators, commonly found on asteraceae, fabaceae, brassicaceae…
