Lasioglossum stictaspis (Sandhouse, 1923)

Dialictus stictaspis Sandhouse, 1923: 195 [♂].

     Holotype ♂. USA, New Mexico, Mesilla, June [year not provided], by T.D.A. Cockerell [USNM].

Halictus (Chloralictus) albuquerquensis Michener, 1937: 316 [♀]. Synonymy by Gardner and Gibbs (2021: 24).

     Holotype ♀. USA, New Mexico, Albuquerque, 1-3 September 1935, on Sphaeralcea and Grindelia [CAS no. 4709].

Lasioglossum (Dialictus) imbrex Gibbs, 2010: 153. Misidentification in part [material from AB only].

Taxonomic notes: Sandhouse's (1923: 195) original description of Dialictus stictaspis Sandhouse, 1923 only included material with two submarginal cells, the associated female (i.e., Halictus albuquerquensis Michener, 1937) has three (Gardner and Gibbs 2021, 2023). Gardner and Gibbs (2023: 216) discussed in detail that this taxon will require more work due to high variability in colour (i.e., red-tailed versus not red-tailed), pubescence, surface sculpture, and number of submarginal cells. Gardner and Gibbs (2023: 216) indicated that it is possible that DNA barcode-based identification is likely confounded by incomplete lineage sorting or introgression, and that more robust genetic data are required to resolve species limits within L. stictaspis s. lat. Gardner and Gibbs (2023: 127) also indicated the affinity of Lasioglossum paululum (Sandhouse, 1924) to L. stictaspis, suggesting it may be a junior synonym of the latter. However, if L. paululum is a distinct species, then it is likely that at least some of the Canadian material identified as “L. stictaspis” (i.e., Gardner and Gibbs 2021) are probably that species.

Though Gardner and Gibbs (2021) published the first account of this species in Canada, it had previously been recorded from AB by Gibbs (2010) as L. imbrex Gibbs, 2010 (see Gardner and Gibbs 2023: 216).

Sandhouse (1923) chose the specific epithet from the Greek adjective ʻstiktosʼ (punctured or spotted) and the noun ʻaspisʼ (shield); Gardner and Gibbs (2023: 162) attribute this to the punctured tegula of this species.  The common name chosen here reflects that.

DNA Barcode Index Number (BIN): BOLD:ABX4912

Distribution in Canada: Gibbs 2010 [AB, as Lasioglossum imbrex Gibbs, 2010, in part]; Gardner and Gibbs 2021 [AB, SK], 2023 [AB, SK].

Gardner and Gibbs (2023: 216) indicate that though their current concept of L. stictaspis includes material from Canada (AB, SK), more work will be required to resolve the species limits on this taxon.