Eucera

Eucerini

Genus Eucera Scopoli (subgenus Synhalonia Patton), two taxa

Mitchell placed this species in the genus Tetralonia. In Florida, these species are restricted to the northern peninsula and panhandle. They are spring-flying and visit from many plant families but not composites. Timberlake revised the genus. He states that E. atriventris, E. dubitata, E. hamata, and E. rosae are the main eastern species. Records of E. speciosa and E. dilecta are in error. Of these four species, he only mentions E. rosae as occurring in Florida, with E. atriventris known from Georgia, E. hamata known from North Carolina and Georgia, and E. dubitata in South Carolina and Georgia. Mitchell lists a species, E. fulvohirta (as Tetralonia fulvohirta, originally described as Melissodes fulvohirta by Cresson), that is not discussed by Timberlake nor can I find any synonymy for it. It was known from North Carolina to Georgia. I have listed the key for the four known Eastern species although only two species (E. dubitata and E. rosae) have been collected from Florida.

Key to females of Eucera in Florida (from Timberlake)

Scopal hair of hind legs, or at least hair on inner side of basitarsi fuscous or black; hair of head, sides, and underparts of thorax also sometimes black…2.

Scopal hair of hind legs pale (bright fulvous) and hair on inner side of hind basitarsi ferruginous….3

About 11-12mm long; apical depression of tergites 2 and 3 bare or nearly bare except towards sides; disk of mesoscutum shining, at least in middle, and with close shallow punctures….E. rosae

Larger, about 15-16 mm long; apical depression of tergite 2 finely punctured and with short appressed hair almost to apical margin; mesonotum dull, with shallow punctures.. E. atriventris

Tergites 2 to 3, or 4, of abdomen with more or less distinct light bands. .E hamata

Hair of abdomen black beyond tergite 1; hair of head and thorax pale fulvous or ochreous, varying to whitish, apical depression of tergite 2 more or less thinly punctate and hairy…E. dubitata