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Lasioglossum albipes or Lasioglossum calceatum

Two very similar species: Lasioglossum albipes (I came across the common name Bloomed Furrow-bee, but not very often) and Lasioglossum calceatum (apparently sometimes called the Common Furrow-bee). Females are all black, males may have one or more segments reddish. The difference is in very small details, such as the face. But usually the two species can not be told apart from just a picture. So we can only tell you this is either of them. Both measure 8 to 10 mm, which is quite impressive for the genus, which is comprised of 1700 species world wide, many of them small (around 5 mm). Females of both species are sweet smelling.

In colder parts of the world, such as North-western Europe, the species lives a solitary life. Each female makes her own nest. But in warmer parts of the world this is a social animal, which lives rather like the honey bee: there is a queen, and the first new borns are small females: the workers. Even bigger females may be present. Their task is to defend the nest and they are called soldiers. Later in the season normal females amd males are born.

Both species are very common all over Britain and on the continent, but do prefer light, sandy soils. Lasioglossum albipes and Lasioglossum calceatum are even reported from cities and towns and do regularly appear in gardens.