Lasioglossum lustrans

(Cockerell, 1897)

Two-celled Sweat Bee

Lasioglossum lustrans is a small sweat in the , first described by Cockerell in 1897. As a member of the Lasioglossum—one of the largest bee genera with over 1,700 —it belongs to a group frequently encountered in bee surveys and monitoring studies. The species is known from North America and is referred to by the 'Two-celled Sweat Bee'. Like other halictids, it is a ground-nesting bee and contributes to pollination services in its .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasioglossum lustrans: //ˌlæsiːoʊˈɡlɒsəm ˈlʌstrænz//

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

Identification

Lasioglossum lustrans can be distinguished from similar Lasioglossum by its two-celled , a trait reflected in its . Identification to species level within Lasioglossum typically requires examination of microscopic features such as wing venation, facial , and male . The Lasioglossum is characterized by small size (often 4-10 mm), slender bodies, and typically dark or metallic coloration. L. lustrans may be separated from the more commonly encountered L. (Dialictus) species by subtle morphological differences in structure and body proportions, though precise identification generally requires specialist taxonomic expertise.

Distribution

North America. Records indicate presence across the continent, though specific range boundaries within North America are not well documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

As a member of the , L. lustrans likely functions as a of flowering plants in its range. Lasioglossum collectively are among the most abundant in many North American and contribute significantly to pollination services, though specific documentation of L. lustrans's ecological role is limited.

Human Relevance

Lasioglossum lustrans, like many small halictid , may be incidentally captured in bee bowl traps used for monitoring. The Lasioglossum is frequently overrepresented in such trap compared to actual floral visitation rates, which can skew diversity assessments. This has no documented direct economic importance or pest status.

Similar Taxa

Lasioglossum (Dialictus) speciesNumerous small, dark Lasioglossum in the subgenus Dialictus overlap in size and general appearance with L. lustrans, requiring microscopic examination of and other features for reliable separation.
Halictus speciesMembers of the related Halictus are similar in size and habitus to Lasioglossum, but typically have more pronounced abdominal banding and different patterns.
Other Halictidae generaSmall size and dark coloration may cause confusion with such as Sphecodes (blood ) or Halictus, though structural features of the and distinguish Lasioglossum.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The specific epithet 'lustrans' and 'Two-celled Sweat ' reference the distinctive two-celled that aids in identification. The was originally described under the Nomia before transfer to Lasioglossum.