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Now, this is an interesting bee. Obviously it has occurred in Michigan, and indeed until quite recently that was the only place it was known from and in fact, was known only from one single specimen. However, it was so unique that was described by Ted Mitchell over 50 years ago as a new species.

From Organ Pipe National Monument comes the small and very common western Lasioglossum microlepoides. Just like the seemingly endless supply of these small Halictid bees, it is slightly metallic and and has a strongly bent basal vein. One could spent a couple lives just figuring out the different species. Photography by Brooke Alexander.

From Organ Pipe National Monument comes the small and very common western Lasioglossum microlepoides. Just like the seemingly endless supply of these small Halictid bees, it is slightly metallic and and has a strongly bent basal vein. One could spent a couple lives just figuring out the different species. Photography by Brooke Alexander.

From Organ Pipe National Monument comes the small and very common western Lasioglossum microlepoides. Just like the seemingly endless supply of these small Halictid bees, it is slightly metallic and and has a strongly bent basal vein. One could spent a couple lives just figuring out the different species. Photography by Brooke Alexander.

Wetland Bee. There are many bees in wetlands. Why? Because so many wetland plants have flowers that are designed to lure bees. Why, for example, are water lilies so large and colorful? So they look good in our pretend ponds? Nope. To attract bees out into the pond for a little pollination fun? Yup.

Wetland Bee. There are many bees in wetlands. Why? Because so many wetland plants have flowers that are designed to lure bees. Why, for example, are water lilies so large and colorful? So they look good in our pretend ponds? Nope. To attract bees out into the pond for a little pollination fun? Yup.

Wetland Bee. There are many bees in wetlands. Why? Because so many wetland plants have flowers that are designed to lure bees. Why, for example, are water lilies so large and colorful? So they look good in our pretend ponds? Nope. To attract bees out into the pond for a little pollination fun? Yup.

Lasioglossum nevadense from San Juan Islands National Monument in the farrrr northwest corner of the United States mainland.

Lasioglossum nevadense from San Juan Islands National Monument in the farrrr northwest corner of the United States mainland.

Sleeping Bear Dunes .... The National Lakeshore. Has Dunes. Has very cool and rare dune bees. Here though is Lasioglossum nymphaeurum which occurs all over the East, and is notable in my mind for the rugged propodeal triangle...as you already know, dear friend. Photography by Sierra Williams and Shopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

Sleeping Bear Dunes .... The National Lakeshore. Has Dunes. Has very cool and rare dune bees. Here though is Lasioglossum nymphaeurum which occurs all over the East, and is notable in my mind for the rugged propodeal triangle...as you already know, dear friend. Photography by Sierra Williams and Shopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

Lasioglossum nymphale, a bee of the coastal and interior sandhills of the Southeast

A small bee, a small sweat bee, a small difficult to identify sweat bee, Lasioglossum oblongum, collected in Wisconsin and photographed by Brooke Alexander. Characteristically, with very few hairs on its abdomen.

Lasioglossum oblongum. An interesting species that pops up here and there. One of the most interesting places for me has been to see it in large numbers along the edges of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where few other bees persist. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

Fossil Butte Wyoming...has fossils and bees. Here is Lasioglossum occidentale, per normal...it looks like almost every other Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group). Some bee people have given up careers over these. Photo By Brooke Alexander.

Fossil Butte Wyoming...has fossils and bees. Here is Lasioglossum occidentale, per normal...it looks like almost every other Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group). Some bee people have given up careers over these. Photo By Brooke Alexander.

Bryce Canyon in Utah is not just magnificent canyons and spectacular scenery, it also has lots of very small bees such as this one, Lasioglossum pacatum.

Bryce Canyon in Utah is not just magnificent canyons and spectacular scenery, it also has lots of very small bees such as this one, Lasioglossum pacatum.

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.