So Alkali Bee and Flower

Alkali Bee: The Unsung Pollination Powerhouse
The alkali bee is one of North America’s most remarkable and underappreciated pollinators. While honeybees often dominate conversations about pollination, alkali bees quietly perform an essential role in supporting agriculture, especially in the pollination of alfalfa—an important crop for livestock feed. Known for their efficiency, adaptability, and fascinating nesting habits, these bees offer a window into the incredible diversity of native pollinators.
Taxonomy and Distribution
The alkali bee belongs to the family Halictidae, commonly referred to as sweat bees. Native to the western United States, particularly in states like Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Oregon, this species thrives in dry, alkaline soils—hence its name. They prefer habitats that other bees might avoid, finding their niche in salty desert environments and irrigated farmlands.
Physical Characteristics
Alkali bees are medium-sized, measuring about 0.4 to 0.6 inches in length. They are striking in appearance, with metallic green or blue-green bodies accented by bands of yellow or white across the abdomen. These distinctive stripes make them relatively easy to distinguish from other ground-nesting bees. Their robust bodies and strong legs are adapted for digging into hard, salty soils where they establish their nests.
Life Cycle and Behavior
Alkali bees are solitary nesters, but they often form large nesting aggregations in favorable soil. A single female digs a burrow that can extend up to 18 inches deep, leading to multiple side chambers. Each chamber is provisioned with a pollen-nectar mixture upon which she lays an egg.
The life cycle is univoltine—meaning there is typically only one generation per year. Adults emerge in late spring or early summer, coinciding with the blooming of alfalfa and other important forage plants. After mating, females spend the rest of their lives constructing nests, foraging for pollen, and provisioning their young.