These bees are cleptoparasites of Apidae, mostly Melissodes, Svastra, Xenoglossa, Peponapis, and Eucera (=Synhalonia). Mitchell placed them in the genus Triepeolus but this is now considered a subgenus of Triepeolus. This is the only subgenus of this genus found in Florida. Three species, T. alachuensis, T. rufithorax and T. rugosus, are endemic to Florida.
Fifth sternum not concave…2
Clypeus black….3
Abdominal punctures usually minute and close, obscured by short, appressed, black tomentum; if relatively distinct and deep, then the axillae are quite short, only slightly exceeding the mid transverse line of the scutellum….4
Pleura below either more coarsely sculptured, or the punctures to some degree separated…5
Basal tergum with a more restricted, subtriangular, black patch, the lateral yellow-tomentose areas much broader than the apical bands….7
At least the mesosternum closely punctate….Triepeolus rugosus
Apical pubescent bands of terga 1-4 much broader, entire or only very slightly interrupted….8
Axillae not so long and slender, not reaching posterior transverse line of scutellum….9
Labrum, scape, tubercles and legs entirely black.. Triepeolus lunatus concolor
Clypeus black…..2
Median black patch of basal tergum narrower, more or less triangular, the lateral tomentose areas extensive, very much broader than the apical bands…6
Pleura and clypeus bare in part…..4
Apical band of basal tergum distinctly interrupted medially….5
Smaller (13 mm or less); axillae usually short.. Triepeolus pectoralis
Axillae more elongate, with apical angle acute, diverging considerably from sides of scutellum….8
Scutum somewhat less broadly yellow tomentose anteriorly, the yellow band narrowly interrupted, with black medially, the lateral and posterior margins also quite broadly yellow tomentose…Triepeolus remigatus
Punctures of terga minute and close, obscured by dense, black tomentum…9
Scutum without conspicuous pale tomentum anteriorly; band on tergum 2 of nearly uniform width across plate….10
Axillae of ordinary length; black patch of basal tergum broader, or legs, tegulae, etc. black….11
Mandibles, labrum, scape and tubercles entirely black; spurs black.. Triepeolus lunatus concolor
By Flight Time-Spring Flyers (Jan.-May), both species endemic
Summer Flyers (July-Sept.)
Fall Flyers (Sept.-Nov.)
County Records: Alachua
Locations:
Dates: May
Plants: Melilotus alba
Notes: Endemic to Florida, No photos available, only known from the female.
County Records: Hernando, Santa Rosa
Locations:
Dates: June-September according to Mitchell
Plants:
Notes: Parasite of Svastra obliqua; one of the largest Triepeolus species.
No photos available of male.
County Records: none from the FSCA
Locations:
Dates: September
Plants:
Notes: Known from Georgia and Florida; No photos available for either species.
County Records: Alachua, Thomas (GA)
Locations:
Dates: October
Plants:
Notes: no female known of this species; thought to be endemic to Florida, now known from southern counties of Georgia.
County Records: Alachua, Escambia, Lafayette, Leon
Locations:
Dates: May-September across entire range; collections from Leon County, Florida were all from July (Pascarella, unpub. data)
Plants:
Notes: Parasite of Melissodes bimaculata
County Records: Alachua, Brevard, Escambia, Leon, Madison.
Locations:
Dates: May-September across entire range; collections from Leon County, Florida were all from July (Pascarella, unpub. data)
Plants:
Notes: Parasite of Melissodes bimaculata. This species and the other subspecies likely interbreed. Intermediates can be found that have varying degrees of reddish coloration. See the scape photo of the male of T. lunatus lunatus for variable expression of red coloration.
County Records: Leon
Locations: Tall Timbers Research Station
Dates: September
Plants:
Notes: very large bee, originally described from the male from North Carolina from August and September; New state record for Florida
County Records: Leon, Thomas (GA)
Locations: Tall Timbers Research Station
Dates: October-November
Host: Melissodes rustica
Notes: new state record for Florida; known previously from Georgia
County Records: Alachua, Jefferson, Indian River, Leon
Locations: Cocoa
Dates: July-October
Plants:
Notes:
County Records: Alachua
Locations:
Dates: Mitchell reports May-Sept.
Plants:
Notes: Parasite of Xenoglossa strenua
County Records: Alachua, Citrus, Collier, Hendry, Madison, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee.
Locations: ENP
Dates: April-October; I collected this species in June in ENP
Plants:
Notes: Parasite of Melissodes communis; endemic to Florida
County Records: Highlands, Lake
Locations: Highland Hammock State Park
Dates: March-May
Plants:
Notes: endemic to Florida, known only from the female. No photos available.