Lasioglossum albescens (Smith 1853)

Matsumura and Sakagami (1971) describe the biology of Lasioglossum albescens, one of the most common sweat bees of southern Asia, based on collections from central Nepal. They found that highland specimens were larger than lowland (but not larger than lowland specimens collected in Malayasia). One nest was discovered an excavated in Nepal at 1900m altitude; the nest is illustrated by Matsumura and Sakagami (1971). A main burrow into the soil extended down 19 cm, where four lateral burrow tunnels radiated out from the main burrow. Cells were arranged linearly at the ends of each lateral burrow; each lateral contained 2-4 cells. The lateral burrows were filled in with dirt after the cells were provisioned and sealed. There were two adult females in the nest, consistent with an interpretation of communal nesting, in which both females lay eggs, although this is unconfirmed. Based on collections of adults at flowers, the authors propose that both sexes overwinter, including old workers and new reproductives, and that males and females emerge from hibernation and begin flying in January and provisioning new cells. A second peak of brood-rearing occurs from May to early June, and the bees apparently cease foraging during the monsoon season from June to August.

Lasioglossum albescens là một loài Hymenoptera trong họ Halictidae. Loài này được Smith mô tả khoa học năm 1853.