Tribe Osmiini

Genus Hoplitis Klug, 2 species

This genus has nonmetallic species. Both Florida species are in the subgenus Alcidamea and nest in pithy stems

Key to females

  1. Punctures of clypeus densely crowded, usually with a slightly elevated, median ridge....Hoplitis truncata

    2. Mandibles Clypeus

    Punctures of clypeus more distinctly separated, with no median ridge....Hoplitis pilosifrons

    Mandibles Clypeus

Key to males

  1. Tergum 7 narrow, medially acute, its median length fully equal to basal width....Hoplitis pilosifrons

    2. Tergum 7
    Terminal Segments - Dorsal View

    Tergum 7 broadly rounded or truncate apically, usually quite short....Hoplitis truncata

    Terminal Segments - Dorsal View


Megachilidae: Hoplitis pilosifrons Cresson

County Records: Alachua, Baker, Columbia, Sumter

hoppil.jpg (72997 bytes)

Locations: San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

Dates: March - June, Mitchell lists April - August for the entire range

Plants: polylectic

Notes: Photos of females, by HGH, are of specimens from Louisiana.

Female

Dorsal Habitus
Face
Mandibles Clypeus
Mandibles
Vertex Scutum Scutellum
Abdomen - Dorsal Side
Terminal Segments - Dorsal View
Lateral Habitus
Gena
Gena Pleura
Mesepisternum
Abdomen - Lateral Side
Terminal Segments - Lateral View
Ventral Habitus
Head - Ventral View
Head Thorax - Ventral View
Sterna
Wing

Male

Dorsal Habitus
Face
Mandibles Clypeus
Mandibles
Vertex
Vertex Scutum Scutellum
Petiole
Abdomen - Dorsal Side
Terminal Segments - Dorsal View
Tergum 7 Side
Lateral Habitus
Gena Pleura
Mesepisternum
Abdomen - Lateral Side
Terminal Segments - Lateral View
Ventral Habitus
Head - Ventral View
Head Thorax - Ventral View
Sterna
Terminal Segments - Ventral View
Wing

Megachilidae: Hoplitis truncata truncata Cresson

County Records: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Highlands, Liberty, Marion, Suwanee, Volusia

hoptru.jpg (72745 bytes)

Locations: Cassadega

Dates: March - May; Mitchell lists March - July

Plants: polylectic, Melilotus alba, Erigeron quercifolius, Berlandiera subacaulis, Meliltous officinalis

Notes: The subspecies Hoplitis truncata truncata is found in central southern Canada through eastern and southeastern United States, distinguished from suspecies Hoplitis truncata mescalerium Cockerell found in the southwestern United States. Photos, by HGH, are of specimens from Louisiana.

Female

Dorsal Habitus
Face
Mandibles Clypeus
Mandibles
Vertex
Vertex Scutum Scutellum
Petiole
Abdomen - Dorsal Side
Terminal Segments - Dorsal View
Lateral Habitus
Omaulus
Gena Pleura
Abdomen - Lateral Side
Terminal Segments - Lateral View
Ventral Habitus
Head - Ventral View
Head Thorax - Ventral View
Sterna
Wing

Male

Dorsal Habitus
Face
Face
Mandibles Clypeus
Mandibles
Vertex
Vertex Scutum Scutellum
Petiole
Abdomen - Dorsal Side
Terminal Segments - Dorsal View
Tergum 7
Lateral Habitus
Gena
Gena Pleura
Abdomen - Lateral Side
Ventral Habitus
Head - Ventral View
Head Thorax - Ventral View
Sterna
Wing
Genital Armature - Dorsal Side
Genital Armature - Ventral Side