Lasioglossum texanum

(Cresson, 1872)

Nocturnal Sweat Bee, Texas Sweat Bee

Lasioglossum texanum is a sweat ( Halictidae) notable for its unusual foraging . Unlike most bees, it actively collects pollen during evening hours and continues after dark until approximately 10:00 PM when moonlight is available. It is a ground-nesting solitary bee with highly specialized pollen preferences, foraging exclusively from flowers of the four-point evening-primrose (Oenothera rhombipetala).

Lasioglossum texanum, m, face Pennington Co., SD 2018-06-20-12.29.38 ZS PMax UDR (48785348702) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Lasioglossum texanum, m, left Pennington Co., SD 2018-06-20-12.43.38 ZS PMax UDR (48784822173) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Lasioglossid bee - Flickr - aspidoscelis by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasioglossum texanum: //ˌlæsi.oʊˈɡlɔsəm tɛkˈsænəm//

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

Identification

May be distinguished from other Lasioglossum by its documented foraging ; most congenes are strictly . Specific morphological diagnostic features are not provided in available sources. Identification to species level likely requires examination of microscopic characters typical of the , including genitalia and wing venation patterns.

Images

Habitat

Ground-nesting inhabiting areas where its plant Oenothera rhombipetala occurs. Specific requirements beyond host plant association are not documented.

Distribution

Recorded from Middle America and North America. Specific range boundaries within these regions are not detailed in available sources.

Diet

females collect pollen exclusively from Oenothera rhombipetala (four-point evening-primrose). Nectar sources are not specified. Adults of both sexes have been observed lapping human sweat for salts and minerals.

Host Associations

Oenothera rhombipetala - Pollen sourceExclusive pollen source; sole documented plant

Life Cycle

Ground-nesting solitary . Females excavate burrows in soil. Detailed description of developmental stages, provisioning , and are not documented in available sources.

Behavior

Exhibits strongly foraging, flying to collect pollen in evening and continuing after dark until approximately 10:00 PM when moonlight is present. This represents a significant departure from typical activity patterns in bees. , particularly females, frequently land on humans to lap sweat from skin.

Ecological Role

of Oenothera rhombipetala. Its activity pattern suggests potential role in pollination during periods when most other pollinators are inactive, though this specific ecological function has not been quantified.

Human Relevance

Attracted to human perspiration; may land on skin to obtain salts and minerals. Sting is generally mild but can cause localized pain and swelling in sensitive individuals. Not known to be agriculturally significant due to extreme specialization.

Similar Taxa

Other Lasioglossum speciesMost congenes are ; L. texanum distinguished by documented pollen collection
Other HalictidaeShares -level traits of small size and ground-nesting, but foraging is atypical for the family

More Details

Activity pattern

One of relatively few documented to forage at night, representing an evolutionary convergence with other such as

Foraging specialization

Extreme oligophagy—pollen collection restricted to single plant —is uncommon among bees and suggests tight ecological with Oenothera rhombipetala