Lasioglossum hemimelas (Cockerell, 1901)

Halictus hemimelas Cockerell, 1901: 285 [♀]

     Holotype ♀. USA, New Mexico, top of the Las Vegas range, 29 June 1901, by T.D.A. Cockerell [USNM no. 12073]

Species Notes

The ♂‚ of this species is unknown.

The DNA Barcode Index Number (BIN) for this species is BOLD:ABZ6179. The presence of this species is Canada is based on two specimens matching this BIN. Gibbs (2011) indicated that this species has not been recorded from the eastern North America except for a single specimen from Wisconsin (Wolf and Ascher 2008), that specimen was DNA barcoded and is distinct, but matches two specimens from Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada. However, these specimens are disjunct from the type locality of this species. This species is a member of the L. ruidosense species-group, which contains only three species (but may be much more diverse) (Gibbs 2011). Species in the L. ruidosense species-group are typically limited to high elevations in the south-western USA (including the type locality of L. hemimelas) or high latitudes, ranging into the arctic. Such populations may be isolated to such an extent that they warrant being considered distinct species, and it is possible that these eastern specimens may prove not to be conspecific.

Size

♀ body length: 5.80–6.16 mm; head length: 1.80 mm; head width: 1.66 mm; forewing length: 4.21–4.27 mm

Biology

Little is known about the biology of this species, though it is likely eusocial like most other Lasioglossum, subgenus Dialictus. Gibbs (2011) indicated that this species was rare.

Extent of Occurrence (EOO) in Canada (http://geocat.kew.org/): N/A

Index of Area of Occupancy (IAO) in Canada (http://geocat.kew.org/): 8 km2

References

Cockerell TDA (1901) Some insects of the Hudsonian Zone in New Mexico.—VI. Psyche 9: 282–286.

Gibbs J (2011) Revision of the metallic Lasioglossum (Dialictus) of eastern North America (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Halictini). Zootaxa 3073: 1-216.

Wolf AT, Ascher JS (2008) Bees of Wisconsin (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila). Great Lakes Entomologist 41: 129-168.