White-zoned Furrow Bee - Lasioglossum leucozonium

A rather large, robustly-built Lasioglossum with conspicuous white tomentose patches on the sides of tergites 2 to 4 (which form complete bands when the abdomen is distended). The hind tibiae have a dark pollen brush. Females closely resemble those of L. zonulum but has a more densely-punctate first tergite, a less subquadrate head and greyer hairs on top of the thorax. Males are more easily distinguished by the divergent ridges on sternite 6. They have the hind bestiaries pale, but the remaining tarsal segments dark.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Found in open areas, mainly on sandy and calcareous soils, scarcer on heavy clay.

Females can be found from late March to late October or early November. The male appears by mid-July but possibly earlier.

A solitary mining bee, sometimes nesting in aggregations. The nest is dug in flat to slightly inclined, light soil, in sparsely vegetated conditions or where there is a short sward. 

A widespread southern species, found in England and Wales north to Cumbria and Yorkshire.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.