This species is part of the subgenus Sphecodogastra, treated as a genus in the review of McGinley (2003). Forages for pollen from the Onagraceae (evening primrose family). Because these flowers open early and late in the day, bee flight patterns are matalinal and crepuscular (at dawn and dusk) (McGinley 2003). Females plug the nest entrance when they leave to forage. This, combined with the restricted foraging period, may reduce brood parasitism (McGinley 2003). Like other bees of the Sphecodogastra group of Lasioglossum, these bees are generally solitary, but with some aspects of social behavior. Females return to their natal nest to overwinter, often with other females. This can involve 1-10 females (usually 3-4) (McGinley 2003). However only one overwintered female typically uses the nest for brood rearing and the others leave to establish their own nests (McGinley 2003). These bees' nests have been found excavated on gently sloping ground in patches of dirt between lawns and gardens (McGinley 2003). Nests occur in aggregations, with a maximum density of 25 nests per square meter and at least 2 cm between nests (McGinley 2003). Brood cells are unusual for halictines in that they are only partially (rather than fully) lined with a waxy secretion (McGinley 2003).The nest architecture consists of clusterd brood cells connected directly to the main burrow without lateral tunnels (McGinley 2003). Species distribution: Lasioglossum oenotherae occurs in the eastern USA and eastern Great Plains, USA (McGinley 2003).Females fly between April and October, but mainly in May. Males fly from May to September, but mainly in July and August (McGinley 2003).
Lasioglossum oenotherae is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.[1][2][3][4]
Lasioglossum oenotherae is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae.
