Tribe Osmiini

Genus Heriades Spinola, 3 taxa

These are the smallest of the Osmiini in Florida, ranging from 4-7mm. They have coarse punctation and a strong T1 carina. The abdomen is strongly downcurved. Three species are known from Florida. All are in the subgenus Neotrypetes Robertson.

Key to females (from Mitchell 1962)

Carina of mandibles united basally, a slight angle at this point of union....H. carinata

Carina of mandibles separate to the base....2

Punctures of tergum 2 noticeably finer than those of 3; wings relatively clear, darkened only in region of marginal cell....H. variolosa

Punctures of tergum 2 and 3 not noticeably different; apical half of wings becoming rather deeply infuscated....H. leavitti

Key to males (From Mitchell 1962)

Abdominal sternum 1 truncate apically, with a robust, conical, median protuberance....H. carinata

Sternum 1 produced apically, either rounded or angulate, only very slightly protuberant....2

Sternum 1 angulate apically, and with a low protuberance at about a third of the median length from apex....H. variolosa

Sternum 1 more rounded apically, protuberance nearer mid point of plate.... H. leavitti

Megachilidae: Heriades carinata Cresson

County Records: Alachua, Baker, Columbia, Jefferson, Liberty, Leon, Levy, Putnam

Locations: Goethe State Forest, Olustee, Ordway-Swisher Biological Station

Dates: April, August

Plants: Polylectic, Cirsium horridulum

Notes:

Female

❮ ❯

❮ Back

❯ Back

Male

❮ ❯

❮ Back

❯ Back

Megachilidae: Heriades leavitti Crawford

County Records: Alachua, Baker, Clay, Columbia, Highlands, Indian River, Jefferson, Lake, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Miami-Dade, Orange, Sarasota, Suwanee

Locations: Archbold Biological Station, Oscar Scherer State Recreation Area, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Dates: March, October, November

Plants: Polylectic, Erigeron, Pityopsis graminifolia

Notes: This species includes the subspecies described earlier by Michener as H. leavitti leavitti and H. leavitti crawfordi. Photos, by HGH, of males, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, are of specimens from Louisiana.