Megachile

Subgenus Sayapis Titus, 4 taxa

    This subgenus has species that superficially resemble those of Chelostomoides. However, the females can be distinguished by having a cutting edge on the mandibles that is lacking in Chelostomoides and the males have 4 exposed sterna while those of Chelostomoides have 3. In Florida, the county records suggest that only M. frugalis frugalis and M. policaris are widely distributed. Both subspecies of M. inimica appear to be restricted to southeastern Florida (but see note below about the specimens captured in Louisiana).

Key to females

1. Clypeus with long, erect, black pubescence.. M. frugalis frugalis Cresson

Pubescence of clypeus entirely pale..2


2. Clypeal margin with a very broad and shallow median, emarginate area, the median portion of which is slightly thickened and produced..M. policaris Say


Clypeal margin with a shallow incurved area on each side of center which is occupied by a low obtuse angle..3


3. Legs bright ferruginous..M. inimica inimica Cresson


Legs black..M. inimica sayi Cresson

Key to males

1. Front basitarsi dilated, usually yellowish or ferruginous..2


Front basitarsi simple, blackish..M. frugalis frugalis Cresson

2. Front basitarsal scale produced apically fully to tip of 3^rd segment..M. policaris Say


Apex of basitarsal scale not attaining tip of 3^rd segment..3



3. Legs bright ferruginous..M. inimica inimica Cresson



Legs black..M. inimica sayi Cresson

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Megachilidae: Megachile frugalis frugalis Cresson

County Records: Alachua, Clay, Highlands, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Suwanee

Locations:

Dates: April - August

Plants: polylectic

Notes: Nests in wood borings.

Megachilidae: Megachile inimica inimica Cresson

County Records: Miami-Dade, Monroe

Locations: Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne, Key Largo, No Name Key, Miami, Sugar Loaf Key

Dates: Feb - April

Plants: Asteraceae and Fabaceae; Crotalaria, Bidens, Borrichia

This is a wood boring nester. A SE coastal form.

Female

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Male

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Megachilidae: Megachile inimica sayi Cresson

County Records: Miami-Dade

Locations: Cutler, Miami

Dates:

Plants: polylectic, favors composites

Notes: nests in borings in wood; this is more widespread phenotype with black legs.

The female photos shown here, except 9 and 11, are of specimens from northwest Louisiana.

Female

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Megachilidae: Megachile policaris Say

County Records: Alachua, Bradford, Brevard,Clay, Duval (Mitchell) Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Levy, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe,Orange, Putnam, St. Johns

Locations: Archbold Biological Station, Crescent Beach, Flamingo, Gainesville, Hawthorne, Jacksonville Beach, Key Largo, Miami, Ocoee, Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park, Sanibel Island, University of Florida Campus

Dates: March - Aug

Plants: Borreria, Erigeron; polylectic, favors composites

Notes: In the SE, known from Florida, Georgia and Louisiana.

Uses trap nests. As reported by Krombein (Trap-Nesting Wasps and Bees), this solitary species is unusual in having more than one larva in a cell.

HGH observed this also:

Female

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Male

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