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This Lasioglossum comes from Yellowstone National Park. If we actually had a good shot of its head you would see that it has an interesting and large one, but we don't, so you just have to be satisfied with the top of the abdomen, which is nice enough for a bee. Photograph by Brooke Alexander. Photoshopping by Wayne Boo.

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

Lasioglossum parvum...collected in Puerto Rico agricultural areas by Sara Prado

Lasioglossum parvum...collected in Puerto Rico agricultural areas by Sara Prado

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lasioglossum pictum, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

The little metallic members of Lasioglossum all tend to look alike until you put them under the scope, once you do you see that some of them don't have pollen carrying hairs .... such as this L. platyparium. Those are members of the genus that are cleptoparasitic on other Lasioglossum.

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.