Lasioglossum zephyrus
This record describes Lasioglossum zephyrus (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It can be primitively eusocial or solitary. Video of nest aggregation Nest behaviors can determine individuals. Nudging of other bees in the nest is done most often by the queen. If the queen nudges a bee, it normally turns to face the queen then follow the queen down the burrow. This doesn't happen with nest guarding bees; they do not follow the queen down the nest.
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
British Columbia, to Texas, east to Florida, north to Maine. Discover Life Global Map
Seasonal Activity
March 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) zephyrus (Smith, 1853) Zephyr means a slight wind (usually refreshing). It is a noun so the epithet is not changeable (when the species is moved from masculine Halictus to neuter Lasioglossum)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lasioglossum zephyrus. 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 zephyrus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , Marci Hess , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Lasioglossum zephyrus
What is Lasioglossum zephyrus?
Lasioglossum zephyrus is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Lasioglossum zephyrus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 5.31–7.08 mm |
| Male | Length 5.06–7.10 mm |
Where is Lasioglossum zephyrus found?
Range: British Columbia, to Texas, east to Florida, north to Maine. Discover Life Global Map
What does Lasioglossum zephyrus eat?
The diet of the Lasioglossum zephyrus 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 zephyrus active?
Lasioglossum zephyrus: seasonal activity - March to October..