HomalictusHomalictus dotatus Homalictus urbanus
Images and Contributor Author Gary Taylor ◦
One of the traits that separate the Homalictus (a tiny species approximately 3-4 mm) from others such as Eurglossinae (like Hylaeines) is that Homalictus collect pollen on their underside (under their abdomen), whilst Euryglossinae don’t collect pollen externally, they ingest it.
Another trait that aids in the identification of Homalictus is the placement of the antennae. This simple “giveaway” physical traits that separate the families, even if they do look a bit similar… is the location of the antennae sockets, which in the Euryglossinae family, a sub family in the major family Colletidae, is set well below the mid point of the eye. Antennae being “set low”, is defined as being set well below the mid point of the eye.
In this side on view of this native bee, you can see the antennae are set higher up, closer to the mid point of the eye, a trait of the Homalictus, in this example Homalictus dotatus.
The other feature that identify some species in the subgenus Homalictus including this species Homalictus dotatus is the colour of the thorax, metallic green sheen colours with reddish brown abdomen.
Homalictus dotatus have been recorded across mainland Australia in New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
The following Homalictus dotatus was found on a Eucalyptus todtiana (Coastal Blackbutt). In the family Halictidae, glossy 1st tergum = Homalictus.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Halictidae
- Subfamily: Halictinae
- Genus: Lasioglossum
- Subgenus: Homalictus
- Species: Homalictus dotatus
Footnote & References
- Batley, Michael (2019): Halictidae. Flower association records for Australian bee species in the family Halictidae.. figshare. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7234334.v3
- Native dotatus halictid bee, Australian Pollinators, PaDIL, https://www.padil.gov.au/pollinators/pest/bio-region-pollinators/138359
HomalictusHomalictus dotatus Homalictus urbanus
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