Lasioglossum oenotherae
This record describes Lasioglossum oenotherae (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Types: Holotype as Halictus (Evylaeus) oenotherae female by Stevens. Type #12033 and #23848. Locality: Blue Rapids, Kansas, June 20, 1919. In the U. S. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian. Holotype as Halictus ralenci female by Crawford. #33827. Locality: Raleigh, North Carolina May 29, 1924 by C.S. Brimley. In the American Museum of Natural History, New York.
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
Habitat
Gardens with Evening Primrose Oenothera . Apparently the bee has not been found on wild populations of Evening Primrose, but prefers domestic gardens instead.
Geographic Range
Canada: Ontario to Nova Scotia. U.S.A.: along east coast to Georgia, west to Kansas and north to North Dakota. East Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
May to August Mid-June to late August in Ontario.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Oenothera . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Generally Sphecodogastra females over-winter and build many nests together in sandy, stony areas. Each nest contains clustered cells near the surface with 12 to 20 cells each. New adults appear about 45 days later and mate. Males die off and females hibernate in deeper tunnels of the nest. One generation per year in north. Possibly two generations in the south.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lasioglossum (Sphecodogastra) oenotherae (Stevens, 1920)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lasioglossum oenotherae. 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 oenotherae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , hg , lee_penner , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Lasioglossum oenotherae
What is Lasioglossum oenotherae?
Lasioglossum oenotherae is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Lasioglossum oenotherae?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 6.6-8.2 mm. |
| Male | 7.3-8.1 mm |
Where is Lasioglossum oenotherae found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Gardens with Evening Primrose Oenothera . Apparently the bee has not been found on wild populations of Evening Primrose, but prefers domestic gardens instead. |
| Range | Canada: Ontario to Nova Scotia. U.S.A.: along east coast to Georgia, west to Kansas and north to North Dakota. East Discover Life Map |
What does Lasioglossum oenotherae eat?
The diet of the Lasioglossum oenotherae includes Oenothera . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Lasioglossum oenotherae active?
Lasioglossum oenotherae: seasonal activity - May to August Mid-June to late August in Ontario..
What is the life cycle of a Lasioglossum oenotherae?
Generally Sphecodogastra females over-winter and build many nests together in sandy, stony areas. Each nest contains clustered cells near the surface with 12 to 20 cells each. New adults appear about 45 days later and mate. Males die off and females hibernate in deeper tunnels of the nest. One generation per year in north. Possibly two generations in the south.