Dufourea novaeangliae

(Robertson, 1897)

Pickerelweed Shortface

Dufourea novaeangliae is a solitary in the Halictidae, commonly known as the Pickerelweed Shortface. It is an oligolectic () exclusively associated with pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), a semi-aquatic plant. The occurs in north-eastern and north-central North America, with confirmed records from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, and Vermont. It is phylogenetically distant from honey bees and possesses the smallest odorant receptor repertoire (112 ORs) among fully sequenced bee .

Dufourea novaeangliae, f, face, Washington Co, ME 2016-04-15-21.28 (26604731992) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Dufourea novaeangliae, f, back, Washington Co, ME 2016-04-15-21.06 (26631604151) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Dufourea novaeangliae, f, side, Washington Co, ME 2016-04-15-21.47 (26697775525) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dufourea novaeangliae: //djuːˈfɔːriə noʊviːˈænɡli.i//

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

Identification

Distinguished from other Halictidae by its association with Pontederia cordata flowers. Both sexes are collected from pickerelweed, suggesting reliable field identification through plant association. Further morphological diagnostic features require additional sources.

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Habitat

Aquatic and semi-aquatic environments where pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) grows, including pond margins, lake shores, and slow-moving water bodies. Soil-dwelling nesting confirmed.

Distribution

North-eastern and north-central United States. Confirmed records: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine (Waldoboro), Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, Vermont. GBIF records indicate presence in Vermont.

Diet

forager on floral resources of pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata). Oligolectic confirmed by repeated plant association.

Host Associations

  • Pontederia cordata - obligate pollen/nectar sourcepickerelweed; sole confirmed plant

Behavior

Solitary nesting confirmed. Both sexes visit pickerelweed flowers. Oligolectic foraging strategy—specialized on single plant rather than pollen collection.

Ecological Role

services for Pontederia cordata. Viewed as potential alternative pollinator to honey bees in wetland . Contributes to reproductive success of semi-aquatic vegetation.

Human Relevance

Research interest due to phylogenetic position as most distant sequenced relative to honey bees. Studied for comparative of olfactory receptor evolution and eusociality origins. Potential value as managed for wetland restoration or pickerelweed .

Similar Taxa

  • Habropoda laboriosaBoth solitary bees with sequenced used in comparative odorant receptor studies; however, H. laboriosa is in Apidae and on blueberry (Vaccinium), not Pontederia
  • Apis melliferaEusocial used as contrast in olfactory receptor evolution studies; D. novaeangliae represents solitary, oligolectic alternative with reduced OR repertoire

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Sources and further reading