LipotrichesLipotriches australica Lipotriches flavoviridis Lipotriches gracilipes Lipotriches muscosa Lipotriches phanerura

Lipotriches flavoviridis, one of our more common little natives (about 8 mm long) that’s found throughout Australia. Ranging in colour from dark metallic green (as seen in the first image) to shiny gold (second image). I reckon they’re gorgeous little bees and it’s a shame they don’t get much attention. So here you are little one, it’s your turn to bee in the spotlight…

Lipotriches flavoviridis © Gary Taylor
Lipotriches flavoviridis © Gary Taylor
Lipotriches flavoviridis © Gary Taylor
Lipotriches flavoviridis © Gary Taylor
Lipotriches flavoviridis © Gary Taylor
Lipotriches flavoviridis © Gary Taylor

Sometimes known as the Metallic Green Nomia Bee. This bee collects the pollen on the hairs of the hind legs, distinguishing it from Homalictus who carry the pollen on the underside of their abdomen.

The images here of the Lipotriches flavoviridis are by Gary Taylor and were taken in Mid Western Australia.

Lipotriches flavoviridis on Eucalyptus platypus © Gary Taylor
Lipotriches flavoviridis on Eucalyptus platypus © Gary Taylor


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Hexapoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Informal: Pterygotes
  • Order: Hymenoptera
  • Superfamily: Apoidea
  • Informal: Apiformes
  • Family: Halictidae
  • Subfamily: Nomiinae
  • Genus: Lipotriches
  • Subgenus infrageneric: Austronomia
  • Species: Lipotriches flavoviridis

Footnote & References

  1. Images and content contribution by Gary Taylor, Western Australia
  2. Lipotriches (Austronomia) flavoviridis (Cockerell, 1905), Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Lipotriches (Austronomia) flavoviridis

LipotrichesLipotriches australica Lipotriches flavoviridis Lipotriches gracilipes Lipotriches muscosa Lipotriches phanerura

BeesBees Anatomy Bee Behaviour Blogging Bees… Bees – image index Unidentified Australian Native Bees Amegilla Bees Apis mellifera Austroplebeia australis Austrothurgus  Braunsapis sp Ceylalictus perditellus Colletidae Euryglossinae Exoneura Hyleoides bivulnerata Lasioglossum Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) Lasioglossum (Homalictus) Leioproctus pappus Lipotriches Megachile Meroglossa Stenotritidae Tetragonula Thyreus Xylocopa