Comprehensive Description
provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Lasioglossum sisymbrii (Cockerell)
Halictus sisymbrii Cockerell, 1895:63 [female]; 1897:168 [male]; 1898a:46 [key]; 1898c:50 [key].—Crawford, 1906:297, 299, 300 [key, locality records].—Cockerell, 1906:294 [locality records]; 1907:241 [key]; 1908:119 [locality, floral records]; 1941:344 [locality and floral records, taxonomic notes].
Halictus sisimbrii.—Cockerell, 1897:165 [lapsus calami].
Halictus olympyiae var. subangustus Cockerell, 1898b:51. [New synonymy.]
Halictus olympiae var. subangustatus.—Crawford, 1906:301 [error for subangustus].
Lasioglossum olympiae var. subangustus.—Michener, 1951: 1107 [Nearctic catalog; emendation].—Hurd, 1979:1957 [Nearctic catalog].
Lasioglossum sisymbrii.—Michener, 1951:1107 [Nearctic catalog].—Linsley, 1962:159 [sleeping behavior.]—Linsley et al., 1963:18 [floral, locality records].—Moldenke and Neff, 1974:55 [locality and flower records].—Alcock and Gamboa, 1975:163 [predator].—Hurd and Linsley, 1975:28, tables 2, 9, 11, 13 [floral records].—Kumar et al., 1976:48 [locality record].—Stockhouse and Wells, 1978:127 [floral records].—Hurd, 1979:1958 [Nearctic catalog].—Hurd et al., 1980:27, 66.—Evans, 1982:573 [predator, Philanthus barbatus Smith].
TYPE MATERIAL.—The female lectotype, herein designated, is labeled
Ckll [Cockerell] 2752 on Sisymbrium [handwritten by Cockerell]/Type No. 3390 U.S.N.M. [red label]/H.[alictus] sisymbrii n. sp. [handwritten by Cockerell]/LECTOTYPE Halictus sisymbrii Cockerell des.[ignated by] McGinley [red label].
Cockerell's only reference to the type series in the original description is
Hab.[itat] College Farm, Las Cruces, N.M., April 16 1895; one swept from Sisymbrium canescens (Ckll. 2572).
The difference in Cockerell's numbers (2752 and 2572) is here taken to be the result of a typographical error. The one known paralectotype is labeled
Las Cruces NM [New Mexico]/Ckll. [Cockerell] 2878 on Melilotus [handwritten by Cockerell]/Co Type No. 3390 U.S.N.M. [red label]/H.[alictus] sisymbrii [handwritten by Cockerell]/PARALECTOTYPE Halictus sisymbrii Cockerell des.[ignated by] McGinley [yellow label].
The lectotype has the basal hair band of metasomal tergum I nearly worn off and the paralectotype is missing the middle right leg, otherwise both are in excellent condition. They are in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
The female holotype of Halictus olympyiae var. subangustus is in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, and is labeled
Olympia, Wash.[ington]/ Type No. 12037 U.S.N.M. [red label]/H.[alictus] olympiae v.[ariety] subangustus Ckll. [Cockerell] TYPE. [handwritten by Cockerell].
The specimen is missing the last nine flagellomeres of the left antenna, and the basal hair band of metasomal tergum I is very worn, with only the lateral edges remaining. The worn hair band undoubtedly was the reason why Cockerell misidentified this specimen and thought it related to Lasioglossum olympiae. The original description of H. subangustus unfortunately included the typographical error of olympyiae for olympiae.
DISTRIBUTION (Figure 607).—Lasioglossum sisymbrii is the most common and most widespread Lasioglossum species west of the 100th meridian. It is found from southern Canada south to central Mexico (20° north latitude) and has been collected in all western, southwestern, and Rocky Mountain states. Two females were collected as far east as Baton Rouge, Louisiana sometime in the late 1800s (specimens labeled “Through C.V. Riley” in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution). Recent eastern-most records are from central and southern Texas.
DIAGNOSIS.—The presence of a complete basal hair band on metasomal tergum 1 (Figure 132) will distinguish both sexes of Lasioglossum sisymbrii from all other New World Lasioglossum species. Lasioglossum pavonotum has widely interrupted, inconspicuous basal hair patches on tergum I but is a highly distinctive metallic greenish blue bee, which cannot be confused with L. sisymbrii. The unique pale, translucent tegulae will identify the few L. sisymbrii specimens in which the basal hair band on tergum I has been worn or matted.
DESCRIPTION.—FEMALE: (1) Length 7.9–9.4 mm (x = 8.5, n = 15); (2) wing length 2.2–2.5 mm (x = 2.3, n = 15); (3) abdominal width 2.5–3.2 mm (x = 2.8, n = 15).
Structure: (4) Head moderately short (Figure 608; length/width ratio 0.79–0.96, x = 0.86, n = 15). (7) Supraclypeal area evenly rounded, (8) moderately protuberant. (9) Clypeus projecting approximately 0.75 of its length below lower margin of eyes; (11) surface without median longitudinal sulcation. (14) Distance between lateral ocelli slightly exceeding distance between lateral ocellus and eye. (23) Flagellomere 1 subequal in length to 2 along dorsal surface. Labrum as in Figure 610; (27) distal keel broad in frontal view, slightly spoon-shaped; (28) distal lateral projections very weakly developed, broadly rounded; (29) fimbrial setae acutely pointed.
(32) Pronotal lateral angle broadly obtuse; (33) pronotal lateral ridge incomplete, interrupted by oblique lateral sulcus; (34) lower portion of lateral ridge inconspicuous, broadly rounded. (35) Mesoscutal lip rounded, not bilobed, (36) moderately elevated from pronotum. (40) Dorsal surface of propodeum about 0.75 the length of scutellum and about 1.4 times the length of metanotum, (41) not depressed centrally, (42) posterior margin nearly truncate (bowing slightly posteriad); (43) propodeal triangle weakly defined laterally; (44) lateral carinae completely encircling posterior surface. (45) Tibial spur as in Figure 52.
(46) Lateral edge of metasomal tergum II weakly sinuate.
Sculpture: (47) Face shiny, (48) densely punctate below ocelli, punctures contiguous, becoming larger and less dense near antennae. (51) Supraclypeal area moderately granulate; (52) punctures separated by their width laterally, becoming only slightly less dense centrally. (53) Clypeus obscurely granulate basally and medially to apex, highly polished apicolaterally; (54) punctures separated by less than their width basally and medially, apicolateral areas impunctate. (56) Mesoscutum shiny; (57) punctation as in Figure 613, punctation nearly uniform, dense, punctures separated by their width or less, slightly less dense centrally. (58) Scutellum nearly uniformly punctate, punctures slightly less dense adjacent to median line, separated by 1–2 times their width. (63) Dorsal surface of propodeum (Figure 612) strongly and completely striate with obscure transverse rugae to strongly reticulate; (64) surface smooth, not alveolated. (65) Metasomal tergum I shiny; (66) punctation fine, moderately dense, punctures separated by their width or slightly less.
Coloration: (70) Unlike other species, tegulae pale yellowish to translucent. (71) Wing membrane hyaline.
Vestiture: (74) Pubescence of head white. (75) Pubescence of thorax mostly white, yellowish white along edges of mesoscutum and on scutellum and metanotum; (76) mesoscutal hairs moderately dense, conspicuously plumose; as in L. timberlakei, mesoscutal hairs along lateroposterior edge short, adpressed (adpressed hairs also along anterior edge). (77) Hind tibial hairs nearly concolorous, most hairs white, narrow band of dorsal hairs very light brown. (78) Anterior hairs of metasomal tergum I and (79) basal hair bands of terga II–IV white. (80) Acarinarium absent, elongate hairs scattered over anterior surface of tergum I. (81) Unlike other species, tergum I with complete basal hair band, narrowed medially.
MALE: Similar to female except as follows: (1) length 6.9–9.1 mm (x = 7.5, n = 15); (2) wing length 1.9–2.4 mm (x = 2.1, n = 15); (3) abdominal width 2.0–2.5 mm (x = 2.2, n = 15). (4) Head as in Figure 609 (length/width ratio 0.81–0.91, x = 0.86, n = 15). (5) Gena subequal to eye in width, (6) rounded, not produced posteriorly. (10) Clypeal surface rounded, not depressed or flattened. (23) Unlike other species, length of flagellomere 1 less than half the length of flagellomere 2 (ratio 1:2 approximately 0.45). Labrum as in Figure 611; (24) distal process virtually absent; (25) basal area rounded medially, not depressed; (26) basal lateral depressions absent. (30) Mandible very short, not reaching opposing clypeal angle. (53) Clypeus weakly granulate, shiny; (54) punctation nearly uniform throughout, punctures separated by 1–2 times their width. (68) Clypeal maculation absent. (69) Flagellum entirely dark. (72) Tarsi dark, concolorous with tibiae.
Vestiture: (82) Hairs on sternum IV short, suberect, without noticeable pattern; (83) posterior edge of sternum V with well-developed hair fringe, hairs becoming longer laterally, forming elongate lateral hair tufts similar to those of L. pacificum (Figure 561; hair fringe margin not so rounded as that of L. pacificum).
Terminalia: Sterna VII–VIII as in Figure 617; (85) median process of sternum VIII virtually absent, extremely short, rounded. Genitalia as in Figures 614–616; (86) gonobase moderately elongate; (87) gonostylus short, robust, narrowly rounded apically; (89) retrorse membranous lobe slightly reduced, very slender basally, gradually broadening to rounded apex; (90) volsella with moderately protruding flange but lacking prominent rounded lobe.
FLIGHT RECORDS (Figure 618).—Females of L. sisymbrii have been collected in every month from January through November (the January, October, and November records are all from Arizona and California). In the southwestern region females have been commonly collected in late March-early April and then again in late June-early July. Females in the northwestern region have been commonly collected only in June. Males have been collected from late March through November, with a definite peak in early July.
FLOWER RECORDS.—Label data strongly suggest that Lasioglossum sisymbrii is broadly polylectic. Hurd, LaBerge, and Linsley (1980) reported this species as being a “casual polylege” of Helianthus. Females have been collected from the flowers of Compositae, Cruciferae, and Leguminosae in nearly equal proportions. Females with pollen loads have been taken from the flowers of 25 families. This is not meant to imply that all 25 families were actual pollen sources; however, this high number of families is suggestive of polylecty.
Summary: Females (953): Compositae 17%; Cruciferae 16%; Leguminosae 15%; Salicaceae 9%. Males (212): Compositae 43%; Leguminosae 23%. Total: 1165 in 49 families, 151 genera as follows:
Achillea 1, 3; *Actinea 3(2), 2; Adenostemma 2; Agave 1; *Agoseris 2(2); Allium 1; *Amorpha 19(19); Amsinckia 1; Arctium 5; Arctostaphylos 2, 1; * Arenaria 1(1); *Argemone 12(2) Arnica 1; Artemesia 2, 4 Aster 1; * Astragalus 1(1); Baccharis 6, 8; Baeria 1; *Baileya 13(3); Barbarea 2; * Berberís 20(18) * Brassica 18(7) Broadiaea 1 *Calochortus 8(1), 1; Calycoseris 1 Cornelina 6 *Cardaría 26(12) Carthamus 2, 16; *Ceanothus 4(3), 2; Cercidium 2, 1; Cercis 2 *Chaenactis 5(2) Chamaebatia 1 Chilopsis 1 Chysothamnus 18, 17; Cirsium 1, 1; Citrus 2 *Clarkia 2(1) *Cleome 13(9), 2; Condalia 1; *Convolvulus 4(1) Coreopsis 8 Cornus 1; Crataegus 1, 2; Cryptantha 16 Curcurbita 1; Dasylirion 1; Daucus 1; Descurainia 6, 1; Dimorphocarpa 1 Ehretia 1 *Encelia 12(1) *Eriodictyon 13(9), 6; * Eriogonum 23(1), 17; *Eriophyllum 3(3), 1; * Erysimum 3(2) * Eschscholtzia 37(7) Euphorbia 3: *Fallugia 1(1), 1; *Geraea 8(3) Geranium 3; *Gilia 6(1), l; Gossypium 1, 1; Grindelia 1; *Guarea 1(1) Gutierrezia 6, 1; Haplopappus 2 Helenium 3, 5; * Helianthus 6(2), 1; Hemizonia 2, 1; Heracleum 1 Hesperochiron 1 Heterotheca 2 Hibiscus 1 *Hymenothrix 2(1) *Hymenoxys 12(10), 17; Hyptis 7 *lris 2(2), 2; Isatis 1, Isomeris 1 Juniperus 1 *Kallstroemia 1(1) Lantana 1 *Larrea 28(9) Layia 1 *Lepidium 18(3) *Lesquerella 35(9) Limnanthes 1, 2; Lindheimera 1; Linum 2 Lomatium 1 Lotus 6 *Lupinus 6(2) Lycium 10 Machaeranthera 1 *Malacothrix 3(1) Malvastrum 3 *Marrubium 3(1) Medicago 26, 14; * Melilotus 20(3), 24; Mentzelia 3 Mesembryanthemum 1 Monardella 1 Mortonia 1; Nasturtium 2 Nemophila 3 Nolina 1; Oenothera 7 *0puntia 3(2), 1; *Oryzopsis 3(1) Paeonia 2 Parkinsonia 3 *Penstemon 24(10) Petalostemum 4 *Phacelia 43(13) Physaria 1 Pluchea 1, 1; Poliomintha 5, lO; Polygonum 1 Potentilla 5, 1; *Prosopis 10(4), 3; *Prunus 7(3), 1; Psoralea 1 Pyrrhopappus 1 *Ranunculus 2(1) Rhamnus 1, 2; Rhus 4, 6; Ribes 1 Rosa 1 * Salix 97(24), 1; Salsola 1; Salvia 3 Sapindus 1 * Senecio 4(1), 5; *Sisymbrium 12(4) Solanum 8, 1; Solidago 1 Sophia 1 *Sphaeralcea 35(8) *Stanleya 14(4) *Tamarix 42(2), 1; *Taraxacum 16(9) Tetradymia 1 *Tragopogon 1(1) Trichostema 1 Trifolium 4, 1; Verbesina 1; Veronica 1 Vicia 1(1), 2; Viguiera 2 Yucca 2.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—4940 (3397, 1543).
CANADA. ALBERTA: Onefour. BRITISH COLUMBIA: Bowser, Fitzgerald, Lillooet, Lorna, Lytton, Merritl, Nanaimo Biological Station, Osoyoos, Penticton, Qualicum Bay, Royal Oak, Saanich, Sidney, Thompson River, Vernon, Victoria. SASKATCHEWAN: Eastend.
MEXICO. BAJA CALIFORNIA: Ensenada, El Progreso (Head of El Tajo Canyon, Sierra Juarez Mts.), Manadero Valley, Palacio (20 mi S), Rosarito Beach, San Felipe (50 mi N), San Pedro Martin, Tecate, 8 mi E. CHIHUAHUA: Arroyo Mesteno (Sierra del Nido), Chihuahua (35 mi NW), Hidalgo del Parral (9 mi S), Primavera. COAHUILA: El Chora (16 km S Saltillo), Torreon. DURANGO: Canutillo, Durango (10 mi W, 14 mi NE, 125 mi SE), El Salto (26 mi E), Guadalupe Victoria (14 mi NE), San Juan del Rio. HIDALGO: Zimapan, 20.4 mi SE. JALISCO: Lagos de Moreno (15.5–27 mi NE), San Juan Lagos. NAYARIT: San Blas. NUEVO LEON: Monterrey, Saltillo, 41 mi S. QUERETARO: San Juan del Rio. SAN LUIS POTOSÍ: San Luis Potosi, 29 mi SW. SONORA: Magdelena. ZACATECAS: Fresnillo (9 mi SE), San Jose de Felix (1 mi N), Sombrerete (15 km E), Zacatecas.
UNITED STATES. ARIZONA: Apache Co.; Cochise Co.; Coconino Co.; Gila Co.; Graham Co.; Greenlee Co.; La Paz Co.; Mohave Co.; Maricopa Co.; Navajo Co.; Pima Co.; Pinal Co.; Santa Cruz Co.; Yavapai Co.; Yuma Co. CALIFORNIA: Alameda Co.; Alpine Co.; Calaveras Co.; Contra Costa Co.; El Dorado Co.; Fresno Co.; Imperial Co.; Inyo Co.; Kern Co.; Lassen Co.; Los Angeles Co.; including Santa Catalina Island; Madera Co.; Marin Co.; Mill Valley; Mariposa Co.; Mendocino Co.: Howard Lake, 2 air mi N; Merced Co.: Yosemite National Park; Modoc Co.; Mono Co.: White Mts; Monterey Co.; Napa Co.: Calistoga; Nevada Co.; Orange Co.: Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills; Placer Co.: Appelgate, Brockway; Plumas Co.: Greenville, Quincy, 4 ini W; Riverside Co.; Sacramento Co.: Folsom, 10–14 mi E; San Benito Co.; San Bernardino Co.; San Diego Co.; San Francisco Co.; San Luis Obispo Co.: Santa Margarita, 15 mi E; San Mateo Co.: Woodside; Santa Barbara Co.; Santa Clara Co.; Santa Cruz Co.; Shasta Co.: Burney (5 mi E), mts. W of Nieubieber; Sierra Co.: Sattley, Sierraville, 10 mi S; Siskiyou Co.; Solano Co.: Putah Canyon; Stanislaus Co.: Del Puerto Canyon (18 mi W Patterson), Turlock, 8 mi E; Turlare Co.; Tuolumne Co.; Ventura Co., including Middle Anacapa Island; Yolo Co.: Davis; Yuma Co.: Mohawk, 9.5 mi W.
COLORADO: Adams Co.; Alamosa Co.; Boulder Co.; Chaffee Co.; Costilla Co.; Delta Co.; Denver Co.; Douglas Co.; Eagle Co.; El Paso Co.; Fremont Co.; Garfield Co.; Grand Co.; Gunnison Co.; Huerfano Co.; Jefferson Co.; Larimer Co.; Las Animas Co.; Mesa Co.; Moffat Co.; Montezuma Co.; Ouray Co.; Park Co.; Pueblo Co.; Rio Blanco Co.; Routt Co.; Saguache Co.; Teller Co.; Weld Co. IDAHO: Ada Co.: Nampa, 15 mi S; Bannock Co.: Pocatello; Binghamm Co.: Blackfoot; Bonner Co.; Boundary Co.; Bear Lake Co.: Bloomington Canyon; Cassia Co.; Custer Co.; Elmore Co.: Dixie, 3 mi W; Franklin Co.; Fremont Co.: St. Anthony Dunes; Gooding Co.: Bliss, 5 mi N; Idaho Co.: Riggins; Kootenai Co.; Latah Co.; Lemhi Co.: North Fork, 3 mi N; Minidoka Co.: Rupert, 10 mi E; Nez Perce Co.; Oneida Co.: Black Pine Mt., Rock Creek; Owyhee Co.; Teton Co.: Tetonia, 7 mi W; Twin Falls Co.: Hollister; Washington Co.: Miduale. LOUISIANA: Orleans Co.: New Orleans, “through C.V. Riley” (2; USNM). MONTANA: Broadwater Co.: Townsend, 14 mi E; Carbon Co.: Rosebud Canyon; Clark Co.: Helena, 10 mi N; Fergus Co.: Big Snowie Mts.; Flathead Co.: Flathead Lake; Gallatin Co.: Bozeman, 6–20 mi S; Granite Co.: Clinton, 9 mi S; Madison Co.: Alder, 9 mi S; Missoula Co.: Missoula.
NEW MEXICO: Bernalillo Co.; Catron Co.; Chaves Co.; Colfax Co.; De Baca Co.; Dona Ana Co.; Eddy Co.; Grant Co.; Hildalgo Co.; Lea Co.; Lincoln Co.; Los Alamos Co.; McKinely Co.; Mora Co.; Otero Co.; Sandoval Co.; San Juan Co.; San Miguel Co.; Santa Fe Co.; Socorro Co.; Taos Co.; Torrance Co.; Union Co.; Valencia Co.: Laguna, 3 mi E. NEVADA: Churchill Co.: Frenchman (10 mi W), Stillwater (12 mi NE); Clark Co.; Douglas Co.: Carson City; Elko Co.; Esmeralda Co.: Lida; Eureka Co.; Humboldt Co.: Paradise Valley (18 mi N), Winnemucca (20 mi S); Lander Co.; Lincoln Co.; Mineral Co.: Luning; Nye Co.; Washoe Co.; White Pine Co. OREGON: Baker Co.; Benton Co.; Crook Co.: Canyon Creek Canyon; Deschutes Co.; Grant Co.: Dayville, 14 mi W; Harney Co.; Hood River Co.: Hood River; Jackson Co.: Colestin; Jefferson Co.; Josephine Co.: O’Brien; Klamath Co.; Lake Co.; Linn Co.: Green Peter Lake, Lebanon; Malheur Co.: Vale; Marion Co.: Salem; Polk Co.; Umatilla Co.: Milton-Freewater; Union Co.: La Grande Union; Wallowa Co.; Wasco Co.: Mosier, The Dalles; Washington Co.: Forest Grove; Wheeler Co.: Fossil, 10 mi S.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Custer Co.: Custer State Park; Pennington Co.: Keystone, 4 mi SE. TEXAS: Brewster Co.; Culberson Co.; Dallam Co.: Dalhart; El Paso Co.; Hidalgo Co.: McAllen; Hudspeth Co.: Dell City, 9 mi SW; Jeff Davis Co.; Jim Hogg Co.: Hegronville, 33 mi SW; Lee Co.: unspecified locality; Mason Co.: Mason, 10 mi N; Presidio Co.: Marfa (11 mi W), Redford (20 mi SE); Randall Co.: near Palo Duro Canyon; Reeves Co.: Balmorhea, Pecos, 16 mi S; Terrell Co.: Dryden, 10.7 mi S; Uvalde Co.: Uvalde; Val Verde Co.: Bakersfield, Quemada; Ward Co.: Monahans; Webb Co.: Laredo, 2 mi N; Zapata Co.: San Ygnacio. UTAH: Beaver Co.; Box Elder Co.; Cache Co.; Davis Co.; Emery Co.; Garfield Co.; Iron Co.; Juab Co.; Kane Co.; Millard Co.; Piute Co.: Circleville; Rich Co.; Salt Lake Co.; Summit Co.; Tooele Co.; Uintah Co.; Utah Co.; Washington Co.; Wayne Co.; Weber Co. WASHINGTON: Chelan Co: Cashmere, Wenatchee; Clark Co.: Vancouver; Garfield Co.: Pomeroy; King Co.: Seattle; Klickitat Co.: Klickitat; Okanogan Co.: Okanogan; San Juan Co.: Orcus Island, San Juan Island; Skagit Co.: Anacortes, 5 mi S; Spokane Co.: Spokane; Stevens Co.: Rice; Thurston Co.: Olympia; Walla Walla Co.: Walla Walla; Whitman Co.; Yakima Co. WYOMING: Albany Co.; Carbon Co.: Medicine Bow; Fremont Co.: Dubois, 13 mi SW; Laramie Co.: Cheyenne, Pine Bluffs' Sheridan Co.: Sheridan; Uinta Co.: Lyman, 20 mi E; Yellowstone National Park Co.: Yellowstone National Park, south gate.
- bibliographic citation
- McGinley, R. J. 1986. "Studies of Halictinae (Apoidea: Halictidae), I: Revision of New World Lasioglossum Curtis." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 1-294. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.429
