Fauna
Insect

Texas Nocturnal Sweat Bee

Lasioglossum texanum

Adapted to twilight and moonlight, this specialized solitary bee emerges after sunset to visit newly opened evening-primrose blossoms. Females possess enlarged ocelli that enhance night vision, allowing them to navigate and gather pollen in dim conditions until late into the evening. They dig secluded underground burrows in sandy soils where they provision brood cells exclusively with evening-primrose pollen.

NocturnalSolitary BeePollinator
Texas Nocturnal Sweat Bee reference1 / 4
(c) Meghan Cassidy, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Meghan Cassidy · cc-by-sa
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyNectar and pollen from evening-primrose (Oenothera species)
Predators
  • Crab spider
  • Robber fly
  • Insectivorous bat
ThreatsHabitat loss, widespread pesticide use, and light pollution disrupting foraging
HabitatsSandy prairies, open woodlands, scrublands, and disturbed sandy soils
Life spanSeveral weeks as an active adult; approximately 1 year total cycle
Classification
  1. FamilyHalictidae
  2. SpeciesLasioglossum texanum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Females can deliver a mild sting if pinched; observe closely without touching.
Why it is dangerous
Stings contain melittin and peptides that trigger localized swelling or rare allergic reactions.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by its small size, dark body, and habit of visiting evening primrose after sunset.
What to do
Watch peacefully from a few inches away without brushing or swatting at foraging bees.
Responsible observation
  • Timing: Search evening-primrose patches between dusk and 10:00 PM on moonlit nights.
  • Lighting: Use a red-filtered flashlight to observe foraging without disorienting the bee.
Related species
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