Lasioglossum imitatum
This record describes Lasioglossum imitatum (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females can be recognized by their small size and the distinct course hair on T3 and T4.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Halictidae (Sweat, Furrow, Nomiine, and Short-faced Bees)
- Subfamily
- Halictinae
- Tribe
- Halictini
- Genus
- Lasioglossum
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Alberta Canada to Florida, North to Nova Scotia. More common in the east. Discover Life Global Map
Seasonal Activity
April to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lasioglossum (Dialictus) imitatum (Smith, 1853) The common name refers to the course hair found on the dorsal portion of the 3rd and 4th abdominal segment (T3 & T4) of females.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lasioglossum imitatum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Lasioglossum imitatum (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Lasioglossum imitatum
What is Lasioglossum imitatum?
Lasioglossum imitatum is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Lasioglossum imitatum?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 3.5 - 5.0mm |
| Male | Length 4.2 - 4.3mm |
How do you identify Lasioglossum imitatum?
Females can be recognized by their small size and the distinct course hair on T3 and T4.
Where is Lasioglossum imitatum found?
Range: Alberta Canada to Florida, North to Nova Scotia. More common in the east. Discover Life Global Map
What does Lasioglossum imitatum eat?
The diet of the Lasioglossum imitatum includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Lasioglossum imitatum active?
Lasioglossum imitatum: seasonal activity - April to October.