Lasioglossum mesillense

(Cockerell, 1898)

Lasioglossum mesillense is a 'red-tailed' sweat bee in the subgenus Lasioglossum (Dialictus), originally described from New Mexico in 1898. The was recently revised in a comprehensive treatment of western Nearctic Dialictus, during which two junior synonyms were newly recognized and a lectotype was designated. As with other members of this large subgenus, it is a small, ground-nesting . The specific epithet references Mesilla, New Mexico, the type locality.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasioglossum mesillense: /ˌlæsiɒˈɡlɒsəm ˌmɛsɪˈlɛnseɪ/

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Identification

A 'red-tailed' within the morphologically challenging subgenus Dialictus, distinguished from other Lasioglossum by characters detailed in the 2020 revision of western Nearctic red-tailed Dialictus. Identification to species level requires examination of microscopic characters; males and females are keyed separately in the revision. Distinguished from L. clarissimum and L. perexiguum, now synonymized with this species.

Distribution

Western Nearctic region; known from Middle America and North America. Type locality: Mesilla, New Mexico, USA.

Similar Taxa

  • Lasioglossum (Dialictus) clarissimumFormerly considered distinct, now synonymized with L. mesillense based on 2020 revision
  • Lasioglossum (Dialictus) perexiguumFormerly considered distinct, now synonymized with L. mesillense based on 2020 revision
  • Other 'red-tailed' L. (Dialictus) species36 revised in western Nearctic treatment; many require microscopic examination for separation

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