Lasioglossum
Lasioglossum
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Halictidae
- Subfamily: Halictinae
- Tribe: Halictini
- Genus: Lasioglossum
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lasioglossum: //ˌlæsi.oʊˈɡlɒsəm//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Lasioglossum is the largest genus of bees, with over 1800 species worldwide. They exhibit a wide range of social behaviors, from solitary nesting to complex eusocial structures, and are crucial for pollination.
Physical Characteristics
Slender, tiny to medium bees, dusky black, dull green or blue, with bands of hair on their abdomen. Size ranges from 2-8 mm. Some species have a red abdomen.
Identification Tips
Identifying Lasioglossum to species is difficult because of their similar appearance. Key differences include the density of punctuations on the thorax and the surface texture between the punctuations.
Habitat
Most Lasioglossum species nest in the ground, but some nest in rotten logs.
Distribution
Worldwide.
Diet
They forage on a wide variety of flowers for pollen and nectar; they are generalists.
Life Cycle
Males and females exist, with only fertilized females overwintering. Social structures range from solitary to communal, semi-social, and primitively eusocial.
Reproduction
Reproductive behaviors vary, with some species being cleptoparasites, nocturnal, or oligolectic.
Ecosystem Role
Important pollinators of various flowering plants due to their foraging behavior.
Similar Taxa
Tags
- bees
- Lasioglossum
- pollinators
- Hymenoptera
- Halictidae
- insects