Giant Furrow Bee
Halictus quadricinctus
The Giant Furrow Bee (Halictus quadricinctus) is a large, robust ground-nesting bee species characterized by its distinctive metallic green-bronze coloration and four prominent pale bands across its abdomen. As a solitary to semi-social bee, it plays a crucial role as a pollinator of wildflowers and agricultural crops, with females excavating deep burrows in soil for nesting.
45
Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Halictidae
Genus
Halictus
Giant Furrow Bee belongs to the family Halictidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Giant Furrow Bee (Halictus quadricinctus) is a large, robust ground-nesting bee species characterized by its distinctive metallic green-bronze coloration and four prominent pale bands across its abdomen. As a solitary to semi-social bee, it plays a crucial role as a pollinator of wildflowers and agricultural crops, with females excavating deep burrows in soil for nesting.
The Giant Furrow Bee faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development, which has eliminated much of its specialized nesting and foraging habitat. Climate change and the widespread use of pesticides have further compromised remaining populations by reducing food sources and directly impacting bee survival and reproduction.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Giant Furrow Bees inhabit open grasslands, prairie edges, and agricultural margins with well-drained, sandy or loamy soils suitable for burrow construction. They require diverse flowering plant communities within foraging distance of nesting areas, particularly favoring areas with sparse vegetation cover that facilitates ground access.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Giant Furrow Bee faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development, which has eliminated much of its specialized nesting and foraging habitat. Climate change and the widespread use of pesticides have further compromised remaining populations by reducing food sources and directly impacting bee survival and reproduction.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Pesticide use
Climate change
Urban development
Found in 45 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | NTNear Threatened | CRCritically Endangered | 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
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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). Giant Furrow Bee (Halictus quadricinctus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/giant-furrow-bee