Metallic bee
Agapostemon subtilior
insectView on iNaturalist
Brilliant metallic-green bee with copper-red abdomen. Solitary pollinator for native wildflowers; visits diverse garden plants in Bay Area.
Plants that support Metallic bee
6 plants
Bisbee Peak Rush-rose
Crocanthemum scoparium var. scoparium
perennial herb
Larval host plant; critical for bee larval development
Bay Area native
Coyote Brush
Baccharis pilularis
shrub
September-December nectar source during fall activity
Bay Area native
Graceful Clarkia
Clarkia gracilis ssp. tracyi
perennial herb
Spring-early summer nectar foraging
Bay Area native
Ithuriel's Spear
Triteleia laxa
geophyte
Spring foraging during Triteleia laxa bloom peak
Bay Area native
Southern honeysuckle
Lonicera subspicata
shrub
Small bee foraging on honeysuckle flowers
Bay Area native
Telegraph weed
Heterotheca grandiflora
annual
Pollen and nectar foraging during bloom season
Bay Area native