sweat and furrow bees

Lasioglossum is a very large genus of sweat and furrow bees. It is the single largest genus of bees worldwide. It occurs on every continent worldwide except Antarctica. There are about 1,760 species in 24 subgenera worldwide, about 290 species in 5 subgenera in North America north of Mexico. The exact number of subgenera is a matter of disagreement among experts. The Minnesota Bee Atlas has identified 53 species in Minnesota.

The genus includes solitary, communal, semisocial, primitively eusocial, and parasitic species. Most species nest in the ground, but a few nest in rotting wood.

Lasioglossum bees feed on flower pollen and nectar. They are abundant throughout the flowering season, from early spring through fall, but they are often overlooked due to their small size. Their sheer abundance makes them important pollinators. Most are food generalists, feeding on a wide range of species. A few specialize on a single genus or a few genera.

Lasioglossum are tiny to medium-sized bees, ranging from 1⁄16″ to ⅜″ (2 to 10 mm) in length. They may be black, green, or blue, and shiny metallic or dull.

Some have red abdomens. Hair bands on the abdomen are on the front part of each segment. This feature differentiates them from the similar Halictus, which have hair bands on the rear part. However, most Lasioglossum have scant hairs on the abdomen, and some have an almost hairless abdomen.

The antennae are inserted relatively high on the face, at least one time, often two or three times, the diameter of the antennal socket above the plate on the face (clypeus).

On the forewing the basal vein is distinctly curved inward. There are usually three submarginal cells, sometimes only two. The first vein separating the submarginal cells is well defined, but the others are less distinct. This feature also differentiates them from Halictus, on which all veins separating the submarginal cells are well defined.

Lasioglossum bees can usually be identified to the genus, but identifying the species is often difficult. Many species can be identified only by the density and location of tiny pits (punctures) on the thorax, and the texture of the surface between the punctures. For this reason, identifications are often limited to “Lasioglossum sp.”

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83.

This genus has no common name. The common name of the Subamily Halictinae is sweat and furrow bees, and it is used here for convenience.

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Woodbury, MN