The Halictid bee Lasioglossum sexnotatum is arguably one of the rarest bees in the country, so it is exciting news that three individuals have been seen this summer in east Suffolk. It is an unusually large species for the Genus Lasioglossum, ranging between 9 and 12 mm in length, with three pairs of prominent white abdominal hair patches contrasting against a bright, shiny black body and with dark, smoky wings.
It is listed as a Red Data Book RDB1 "Endangered" species and the Natural History Museum in London has only a handful of specimens, mainly from the 19th century from Surrey and East Anglia. Falk (1991) states that the species had gone un-recorded in Britain since April 1913 until a specimen was caught at Buckenham Tofts in West Norfolk in 1985. Claude Morley, in a review of the hymenoptera of Suffolk in our Society's Transactions, does cite other records ["Corton, 1925 (Blair); Barham. One on Angelica-flower at Staverton in Butley, August 1917"], but these cases are not supported by known specimens.
For the 16 years since 1985 there have been no confirmed sightings of this bee anywhere in the country. Then, in early August I saw two females near Martlesham to the east of Ipswich. As my one specimen was being confirmed came news that Peter Yeo had taken a specimen at Orford, back in June of this year. These two sightings thus represent only the second and third national records for this species in nearly 90 years. It was felt appropriate for my Martlesham specimen to reside with the national collection at the Natural History Museum, London.
Unsurprisingly, little is known about the ecology of this bee in Britain, although its European association with dry heathland/acid grassland appears to hold true. A sample of pollen being carried by the Martlesham female has been taken for analysis to determine which plants were being visited. Clearly, such a rare species should not be subjected to any further collecting pressure, but there is an urgent need to study the bee to try and determine its habitat requirements and behaviour in Britain. I obviously hope to re-find this species to start this much-needed ecological work - and I hope I won't have to wait another 16 years to be able to do so!
Falk, S. J. 1991. A review of the scarce and threatened bees, wasps and ants of Great Britain. (Research and Survey in Nature Conservation no. 35). Peterborough: Nature Conservancy Council.
Adrian Knowles
Co-recorder for Hymenoptera
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