Perdita halictoides

Smith, 1853

Ground-cherry Fairy Bee, Ground-cherry Perdita, Sweatbee-like Miner Bee

Perdita halictoides is a small mining bee in the Andrenidae, commonly known as the ground-cherry fairy or sweatbee-like miner bee. The is found in North America and belongs to a of over 800 species of small, often brightly colored bees. Members of the genus Perdita are solitary, ground-nesting bees that typically specialize on particular plants for pollen collection.

Perdita halictoides, male, face 2012-06-18-17.47 (18081203253) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Perdita halictoides, F, Face, VT, Chittenden County 2014-02-25-16.41.36 ZS PMax (13138145074) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Perdita halictoides, M, U, back 2015-07-21-16.39.39 ZS PMax UDR by Sam Droege. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Perdita halictoides: /pɛrˈdiːtə hɑːlɪkˈtɔɪdiːz/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The 'sweatbee-like miner ' suggests resemblance to halictid sweat bees ( Halictidae), which are typically small with metallic coloration. As a Perdita , it is likely very small in size—most Perdita are among the smallest bees in North America, often 2–10 mm in length. Distinctive features of the include reduced wing venation and often striking color patterns. Positive identification to species level requires examination of morphological characters such as facial markings, leg structures, and male genitalia.

Images

Distribution

North America. Specific records include Vermont, United States.

Host Associations

Ground-cherry - pollen source 'ground-cherry fairy ' and 'ground-cherry perdita' indicates association with plants in the Physalis (ground-cherry Solanaceae). Many Perdita are pollen (oligolectic) on particular plant genera.

Behavior

As a member of the Perdita, this is solitary and nests in the ground. Females excavate burrows in soil and provision with pollen for their offspring. The 'sweatbee-like' appearance may reflect similar foraging on small flowers.

Ecological Role

, likely with specialized relationship to ground-cherry (Physalis) plants based on evidence.

Similar Taxa

Halictidae (sweat bees)Similar 'sweatbee-like miner ' indicates resemblance in size, coloration, or . Halictids are typically small, often metallic bees that also nest in soil, but belong to a different .
Other Perdita speciesOver 800 in the , many with similar size and general . Species-level identification requires detailed examination of diagnostic characters.

More Details

Nomenclature note

The epithet 'halictoides' means 'resembling Halictus' (sweat bees), referring to the 's similarity in appearance to members of Halictidae.

Taxonomic context

Perdita is the largest of bees in North America, with most being pollen on particular plant genera. The 'ground-cherry perdita' suggests this species may be oligolectic on Physalis.