Lasioglossum absimile (Sandhouse, 1924)
Properties
Scientific Name: Lasioglossum absimile (Sandhouse, 1924)
Common Name: Dissimilar Sweat Bee
Taxonomy
Halictus (Chloralictus) absimilis Sandhouse, 1924: 21 [♀].
Holotype ♀. USA, Colorado, Sterling, 10 July 1920, by G.A. Sandhouse, on Taraxacum [USNM no. 26416].
Taxonomic notes: The ♂ is known (see Gibbs et al. 2023) but remains undescribed.
According to Gibbs et al. (2023), Lasioglossum absimile (Sandhouse, 1924) is closely allied to Lasioglossum ephialtum Gibbs, 2010 in the Lasioglossum viridatum (Lovell, 1905) species complex, based on DNA barcode sequences and morphology. For members of this complex, species delimitation and identification remain a challenge (Gibbs 2010, 2017; Gibbs et al. 2023).
DNA Barcode Index Number (BIN): BOLD:ABZ0652
Distribution in Canada: Gardner and Gibbs 2021 [BC, MB]; Gibbs et al. 2023 [MB].
Gibbs et al. (2023) indicated that Lasioglossum absimile is a poorly known species. It was only recently documented in Canada (Gardner and Gibbs 2021).
References
Gibbs J (2010) Revision of the metallic species of Lasioglossum (Dialictus) in Canada (Hymenoptera, Halictidae, Halictini). Zootaxa 2591: 1-382.https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2591.1.1
Sandhouse GA (1924) New North American species of bees belonging to the genus Halictus (Chloralictus). Proceedings of the United States National Museum 65: 1-43.
Gardner J, Gibbs J (2021) New and little-known Canadian Lasioglossum (Dialictus) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) and an emended key to species. The Canadian Entomologist 154(1), E3.https://doi.org/10.4039/tce.2021.47
Gibbs J, Hanuschuk E, Miller R, Dubois M, Martini M, Robinson S, Nakagawa P, Sheffield CS, Onuferko T (2023) A checklist of the bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Manitoba, Canada. The Canadian Entomologist 155: E3.https://doi.org/10.4039/tce.2022.45
Gibbs J (2017) DNA barcoding a nightmare taxon: assessing barcode index numbers and barcode gaps for sweat bees. Genome 61(1): 21-31. https://doi.org/10.1139/gen-2017-0096
Sociality: Presumed Eusocial
Nesting: Ground
Pollen Specialization: Polylectic
Wintering Stage: Mated Female
Crop Preference: Not Available
Non Crop Preference: Not Available
Distribution: British Columbia, Manitoba
Ecozone: Prairie