Lasioglossum oceanicum

(Cockerell, 1916)

sweat bee

Lasioglossum oceanicum is a of sweat in the , first described by Cockerell in 1916. Like other members of the Lasioglossum, it is a small bee with metallic coloration typical of many halictids. The species belongs to one of the most species-rich bee genera globally, with over 1,700 described species. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed information for L. oceanicum specifically is limited in available literature.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasioglossum oceanicum: /ˌleɪsiːoʊˈɡlɒsəm oʊˈsiːænɪkəm/

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Identification

Lasioglossum oceanicum can be distinguished from other sweat by its specific morphological features, though precise diagnostic characters require examination of or detailed taxonomic . Members of Lasioglossum are generally small bees, often with metallic green, , or brassy coloration. -level identification within this typically requires microscopic examination of features such as facial , punctation patterns on the and , and structure in males. L. oceanicum is part of the subgenus Dialictus, which contains many morphologically similar species that are challenging to distinguish without specialized taxonomic expertise.

Distribution

North America; specifically recorded from Vermont, United States. The epithet 'oceanicum' may suggest coastal or eastern associations, though this interpretation is speculative without additional biogeographic study.

Ecological Role

As a member of the , L. oceanicum likely contributes to services in its range. Lasioglossum are foragers that visit diverse flowering plants for pollen and nectar. Many species in this are important components of native and participate in functioning through pollination, though specific ecological contributions of L. oceanicum have not been documented.

Similar Taxa

Lasioglossum (Dialictus) speciesMany in the subgenus Dialictus are morphologically similar to L. oceanicum, requiring detailed examination for accurate identification. The subgenus contains numerous small, metallic species with overlapping character states.
Other Halictidae generaSmall metallic in related such as Agapostemon and Halictus may resemble L. oceanicum superficially, but differ in features including tongue length, facial structure, and abdominal banding patterns.