Lasioglossum smilacinae

(Robertson, 1897)

Mayflower Sweat Bee

Lasioglossum smilacinae, commonly known as the Mayflower Sweat , is a of sweat bee in the . It belongs to the large Lasioglossum, which contains over 1,700 species of small bees often referred to as sweat bees due to their attraction to human perspiration. As a member of the subgenus Dialictus, this species exhibits traits typical of that group. The species was first described by Robertson in 1897 and occurs in North America.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasioglossum smilacinae: /ˌlæ.si.oʊˈɡlɒsəm smaɪˈlæsɪˌniː/

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Distribution

North America. Records indicate presence across the continent, though specific range details are limited.

Ecological Role

As a member of the Lasioglossum, this likely contributes to of wildflowers and , though specific documentation for this species is lacking. The genus as a whole is known to be significant in many .

Human Relevance

Like other sweat , may be attracted to human perspiration for salts and minerals. Sweat bees in the Lasioglossum are generally harmless and do not aggressively unless handled roughly.

Similar Taxa

  • Lasioglossum (Dialictus) speciesMany small, brassy-colored Lasioglossum in the subgenus Dialictus are visually similar and require expert identification to distinguish. L. smilacinae is part of this challenging .

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