Pubescence of clypeus entirely pale....2
Clypeal margin with a shallow incurved area on each side of center which is occupied by a low obtuse angle....3
Legs black....M. inimica sayi Cresson
Genus Megachile
This subgenus has species that superficially resemble those of Chelostomoides. However, the females can be distinguished by having a cutting edge on the mandibles that is lacking in Chelostomoides and the males have 4 exposed sterna while those of Chelostomoides have 3. In Florida, the county records suggest that only M. frugalis frugalis and M. policaris are widely distributed. Both subspecies of M. inimica appear to be restricted to southeastern Florida (but see note below about the specimens captured in Louisiana).
Pubescence of clypeus entirely pale....2
Clypeal margin with a shallow incurved area on each side of center which is occupied by a low obtuse angle....3
Legs black....M. inimica sayi Cresson
Front basitarsi simple, blackish....M. frugalis frugalis Cresson
Apex of basitarsal scale (red arrow) not attaining tip of 3rd segment (black arrow)....3
3. Legs bright ferruginous....M. inimica inimica Cresson
Legs black....M. inimica sayi Cresson
County Records: Alachua, Clay, Highlands, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Suwanee
Locations:
Dates: April - August
Plants: polylectic
Notes: Nests in wood borings.
Photos of females by HGH are of specimens AMNH 130506 from Florida, Slides 1-7 13-15, and AMNH 229910 from Illinois, Slides 2, 8-11.
Photos of male by HGH are of a specimen AMNH 130509 from North Carolina.
County Records: Miami-Dade, Monroe
Locations: Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne, Key Largo, No Name Key, Miami, Sugar Loaf Key
Dates: Feb - April
Plants: Asteraceae and Fabaceae; Crotalaria, Bidens, Borrichia
This is a wood boring nester. A SE coastal form.
County Records: Miami-Dade
Locations: Cutler, Miami
Dates:
Plants: polylectic, favors composites
Notes: nests in borings in wood; this is more widespread phenotype with black legs.
Photos of females by HGH are of specimens from northwest Louisiana.
Photos of male by HGH are of a specimen AMNH 177131 from Arizona
County Records: Alachua, Bradford, Brevard,Clay, Duval (Mitchell) Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Levy, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe,Orange, Putnam, St. Johns
Locations: Archbold Biological Station, Crescent Beach, Flamingo, Gainesville, Hawthorne, Jacksonville Beach, Key Largo, Miami, Ocoee, Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park, Sanibel Island, University of Florida Campus
Dates: March - Aug
Plants: Borreria, Erigeron; polylectic, favors composites
Notes: In the SE, known from Florida, Georgia and Louisiana.
Uses trap nests. As reported by Khrombein (Trap-Nesting Wasps and Bees), this solitary species is unusual in having more than one larva in a cell.
HGH observed this also:
