Abdominal terga 6 concave in profile, entirely covered with closely appressed pale tomentum, without erect basal hairs....M. townsendiana
Tergum 6 very nearly straight in profile, with erect hairs toward the sides basally....M. parallela
Key to males
Larger (13mm); carina of tergum 6 broader, surface just above emargination broadly impressed....M. parallela
Smaller (10mm); carina of tergum 6 narrowed apically, slightly curved ventrad, emargination small, upper surface not impressed....M. townsendiana
Both species occur in the southwestern U.S. Apparently rare in the eastern United States, occurring from North Carolina to Florida. Our species may represent an eastward migration that is currently restricted to warm areas with sandy soil.
Megachilidae: Megachile parallela Smith
County Records: Levy, Nassau, Leon, Miami-Dade (Mitchell); HGH captured this species in St. Johns
Locations: Crescent Beach, Miami, Miami Beach, Tall Timbers Research Station
Dates: June to September (Mitchell)
Plants: polylectic
Notes: This is a ground-nesting species
Female
Male
Megachilidae: Megachile townsendiana Cockerell
County Records: Miami-Dade, Broward (Mitchell), St. Johns, Nassau
Locations: Crescent Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach
Dates: July 28-Oct. 12; July 1, Aug 1, Oct. 1
Plants: oligolectic on composites (Helianthus, Melanthera, Chrysopsis, Actiniella)
Notes: Nests in sandy soil. In Florida, most of the records of this species are from the coast, in beach dunes and coastal hammocks
Female
Male
