The two members of this species are immediately recognizable by either their broad apical hair bands or their simple unbranched scopal hairs. M. apicata is a wetland species, visiting a variety of flowers, while M. mitchelli is an oligolege on Opuntia. Both are strictly spring flying species unlike the many fall flying Eumelissodes or all-year flying Melissodes.
Clypeus shining, median area above sparsely and irregularly punctate…M. mitchelli
Clypeus closely punctate throughout…M. apicata
Clypeus entirely or in part black. .M. apicata
Clypeus entirely yellow ..M. mitchelli
County Records: Alachua, Highlands, Marion
Locations:
Dates: March 31-April 15; March:1, April: 3
Plants: Pontederia, Melilotus, Stachys, Hydrocotyle
Notes: An eastern seaboard species that occurs from Maine to Florida.
County Records: Alachua
Locations:
Dates: April 27; April to May (Mitchell)
Plants: Oligolege on Opuntia
Notes: North Carolina to Florida. No photos available at this time.