Dark Blood Bee
Sphecodes niger
The Dark Blood Bee (Sphecodes niger) is a small, distinctive cuckoo bee characterized by its dark metallic body with reddish-brown abdominal markings that give it its common name. As a kleptoparasitic species, it does not collect pollen itself but instead infiltrates the nests of solitary ground-nesting bees, particularly mining bees (Andrena species), where females lay their eggs to exploit the host's provisions.
22
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Stefan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Stefan
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Halictidae
Genus
Sphecodes
Dark Blood Bee belongs to the family Halictidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Dark Blood Bee (Sphecodes niger) is a small, distinctive cuckoo bee characterized by its dark metallic body with reddish-brown abdominal markings that give it its common name. As a kleptoparasitic species, it does not collect pollen itself but instead infiltrates the nests of solitary ground-nesting bees, particularly mining bees (Andrena species), where females lay their eggs to exploit the host's provisions.
The Dark Blood Bee faces significant population pressures from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and urban development, which eliminates the diverse flowering plants and suitable nesting sites it requires. Climate change and widespread pesticide use in agricultural areas further threaten remaining populations by disrupting foraging resources and directly impacting bee survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Open grasslands, meadows, heathlands, and agricultural margins with abundant flowering plants, particularly areas with sandy soils suitable for ground-nesting bees. Also found in coastal dunes, woodland edges, and urban green spaces where diverse wildflower communities persist.
Threats
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Pesticide use in agricultural landscapes
Urban development and land conversion
Climate change affecting flowering plant phenology
Loss of host bee species populations
Found in 22 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dark Blood Bee (Sphecodes niger). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dark-blood-bee