Images

Lovely and subtle wings, patterned in tiny hairs and blinged with iridescenceOne of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

One of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

In the Badlands of South Dakota comes a red-butted Lasioglossum. Most have dark posteriors, but not this one, which means that identification is simplified. But, one must still untangle this species from the handful of other species with red on the abdomen. Its still a mystery to me how all these Lasioglossums carve up the floral space.

A little parasitic Lasioglossum from Frederick County, Maryland. The female invades nests of other Lasioglossum species and lays her egg in their nest. The host egg/baby does not fair well after that. The most common of the parasitic Lasioglossum species.

Forgot to upload this one a while back. Just a friendly cleptoparasitic Lasioglossum, hanging out on a pin.

A rather ratty specimen of Lasioglossum prasinogaster. This one collected at Fossil Butte National Monument. One of hundreds of species of this genus...most of whose life histories are unknown but who are one of the mortared bricks of the earth's insect and plant spheres. Picture by Brooke Alexander.

sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Fossil Butte National Monument continues to fascinate with all the many bees that are to be found there. This is Lasioglossum pulveris. One of the many dark Lasioglossum species. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

Lasioglossum rozeni, Female, Frederick County, Maryland

Lasioglossum rozeni, Female, Frederick County, Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park, a nest parasite of other Lasioglossum species

Yes, we must see more Lasioglossum species in the Dialictus group, just so you start respecting what bee biologists have to deal with. We are subtle subtle people. Lasioglossum sedi here...from Bryce Canyon National Park. Geology is overated when it is bee season in the park. Photography By Brooke Alexander.

Yes, we must see more Lasioglossum species in the Dialictus group, just so you start respecting what bee biologists have to deal with. We are subtle subtle people. Lasioglossum sedi here...from Bryce Canyon National Park. Geology is overated when it is bee season in the park. Photography By Brooke Alexander.

From Mount Washington in New Hampshire. A new species for New England this species has a boreal distribution and probably is a hold out from colder days, eking out a living in the White Mountains until global climate change turns it into a jungle.

Rare. This small little Lasioglossum sequoiae is all black. This particular specimen was collected in the San Juan Islands of Washington in the National Historic Park and identified by the fabulous Jason Gibbs. This represents a major range extension for all the previous specimens we are aware of are known from California.

Rare. This small little Lasioglossum sequoiae is all black. This particular specimen was collected in the San Juan Islands of Washington in the National Historic Park and identified by the fabulous Jason Gibbs. This represents a major range extension for all the previous specimens we are aware of are known from California.

Here is a little tiny nest parasite, Lasioglossum simplex, that parasitizes one of its sister taxa (likely L. trigeminum). While it retains the overall look and feel of its pollen carrying upright relatives, it has no pollen carrying hairs and its mandibles lack the tooth at the end and instead are simple sabres...

Here is a little tiny nest parasite, Lasioglossum simplex, that parasitizes one of its sister taxa (likely L. trigeminum). While it retains the overall look and feel of its pollen carrying upright relatives, it has no pollen carrying hairs and its mandibles lack the tooth at the end and instead are simple sabres...

A rather lovely Lasioglossum from Bryce Canyon National Park (L. sisymbrii) als black and white stripes. Common in the West...leaking a bit into the plains, but not much.

A rather lovely Lasioglossum from Bryce Canyon National Park (L. sisymbrii) als black and white stripes. Common in the West...leaking a bit into the plains, but not much.

A rather lovely Lasioglossum from Bryce Canyon National Park (L. sisymbrii) als black and white stripes. Common in the West...leaking a bit into the plains, but not much.