Quebec Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum quebecense
This record describes Lasioglossum quebecense (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
this common Lasioglossum species has weak apical and basal hair bands JSA ( ref. ) apical hair bands atypical of Lasioglossum but found in that species JSA ( ref. ) elongate body and dull scutum (in males) JSA ( ref. ) some males of this species have a red metasoma JSA ( ref. )
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
Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Minnesota, south to Georgia. Scattered records from Saskatchewan to the Yukon. Discover Life Global Map
Seasonal Activity
March to September
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.
Life History
Solitary ground nesting bee.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lasioglossum (Sphecodogastra) quebecense (Crawford, 1907)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lasioglossum quebecense. 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 Quebec Sweat Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Quebec Sweat Bee
What is Quebec Sweat Bee?
Quebec Sweat Bee (Lasioglossum quebecense) is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Quebec Sweat Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 6.5-7.0 mm |
| Male | Length 5.9-8.6 mm |
How do you identify Quebec Sweat Bee?
this common Lasioglossum species has weak apical and basal hair bands JSA ( ref. ) apical hair bands atypical of Lasioglossum but found in that species JSA ( ref. ) elongate body and dull scutum (in males) JSA ( ref. ) some males of this species have a red metasoma JSA ( ref. )
Where is Quebec Sweat Bee found?
Range: Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Minnesota, south to Georgia. Scattered records from Saskatchewan to the Yukon. Discover Life Global Map
What does Quebec Sweat Bee eat?
The diet of the Quebec Sweat Bee 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 Quebec Sweat Bee active?
Quebec Sweat Bee: seasonal activity - March to September.
What is the life cycle of a Quebec Sweat Bee?
Solitary ground nesting bee.