Lasioglossum texanum
This record describes Lasioglossum texanum (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The ocelli are so large that the gap between the eye and the lateral ocellus is less than half of one ocellus. The compound eye is also much larger than other Lasioglossum species in the East Flies at dusk or at night by moon light. Forages on members of the Onagraceae family, evening primroses.
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
Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
April to December
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Floral Specialists of Onagraceae Gathers pollen exclusively from Evening primose, Oenothera biennis .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lasioglossum (Sphecodogastra) texanum (Cresson, 1872)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lasioglossum texanum. 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 texanum (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Hartmut Wisch , hg , Marci Hess , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Lasioglossum texanum
What is Lasioglossum texanum?
Lasioglossum texanum is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Lasioglossum texanum?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 8-11.2 mm(McGinley, 2003) |
| Male | Length 7.1-9.2 mm(McGinley, 2003) |
How do you identify Lasioglossum texanum?
The ocelli are so large that the gap between the eye and the lateral ocellus is less than half of one ocellus. The compound eye is also much larger than other Lasioglossum species in the East
Where is Lasioglossum texanum found?
Range: Discover Life Map
What does Lasioglossum texanum eat?
The diet of the Lasioglossum texanum includes Floral Specialists of Onagraceae Gathers pollen exclusively from Evening primose, Oenothera biennis ..
When is Lasioglossum texanum active?
Lasioglossum texanum: seasonal activity - April to December.