Lasioglossum versatum
This record describes Lasioglossum versatum (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This is L. rohweri as used sensu Mitchell, 1960, which is the true L. versatum. L. versatum as understood by previous workers is now known as L. callidum (but there is likely also a similar undescribed species); see Gibbs (2010). Common
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
New Brunswick to North Carolina, west to Colorado, north to Alberta. Discover Life Global Map
Seasonal Activity
April to November.
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) versatum (Robertson, 1902)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lasioglossum versatum. 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 versatum (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Lasioglossum versatum
What is Lasioglossum versatum?
Lasioglossum versatum is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Lasioglossum versatum?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 5.06–6.78 mm |
| Male | Length 5.06–6.47 mm |
Where is Lasioglossum versatum found?
Range: New Brunswick to North Carolina, west to Colorado, north to Alberta. Discover Life Global Map
What does Lasioglossum versatum eat?
The diet of the Lasioglossum versatum 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 versatum active?
Lasioglossum versatum: seasonal activity - April to November..