Summary:
- Researchers have discovered a new species of little blue bee in Texas and Oklahoma. The bee, named Lasioglossum mandarinellum, is a small, metallic blue-green bee that was previously misidentified as a different species.
- The discovery of this new bee species highlights the importance of continued biodiversity research, as there are still many unknown insect species waiting to be identified, even in well-studied areas.
- The little blue bee is found in prairie and grassland habitats, and its identification can help inform conservation efforts for these important ecosystems and the pollinators that depend on them.