Conanthalictus

Conanthalictus species are distinguished from other Rophitini genera by genitalic and other subtle morphological characters; accurate identification to species level requires examination of male genitalia and other microscopic features. They may be confused with related halictid genera such as Rophites or Sphecodes, but differ in specific structural details of the head, thorax, and male terminalia.

Species occur in arid and semi-arid environments including deserts, dry grasslands, and scrublands of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Several species epithets suggest associations with specific habitats or host plants (e.g., *mentzeliae* associated with genus Mentzelia, *namatophilus* indicating affinity for water or moist areas).

Southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, Nevada, Utah) and northern Mexico.

As with other halictid bees, Conanthalictus species likely function as pollinators of native flowering plants in their arid habitat ranges. Specific plant associations have been documented for some species; for example, *Conanthalictus mentzeliae* has been associated with plants in the genus Mentzelia (Loasaceae).

• RophitesBoth are in tribe Rophitini and share general halictid morphology; distinguished by male genitalia structure and subtle head and thoracic characters.
• SphecodesSimilar small size and general appearance as cleptoparasitic halictids; Sphecodes are cleptoparasitic while Conanthalictus are not, and differ in wing venation and body sculpture.
• DufoureaAnother Rophitini genus with similar size range; distinguished by differences in mouthpart structure and male genitalia.

• Halictidae
• sweat bees
• Rophitini
• North America
• desert bees
• pollinators
• arid habitat specialists

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life