These were originally placed in the Xeromegachile. As the older genus name suggests, they are common in xeric areas. In Florida, they are most likely to be found in sandhills, scrub, and coastal dunes. Several species are oligolectic on particular species of plants. In comparison to the other subgenera of Megachile, they tend to be relatively restricted in season of flight, perhaps related to their relative specialization on certain flowers.
Lateral ocelli much nearer eyes than to edge of vertex; pubescence of sixth tergum largely appressed, the erect hairs basal, short and inconspicuous..M. deflexa
Lateral ocelli subequally distant from eyes and edge of vertex, or nearer the vertex; or pubescence of sixth tergum erect and conspicuous..2
Clypeal margin minutely denticulate or tuberculate..3
Clypeal margin entire..4
Punctures fine and close in center of mesonotum, minute and crowded on scutellum; scopa on fifth sternum with few if any black hairs..M. integra
Punctures more coarse in center of mesonotum, separated by more than their own width; punctures on scutellum fine and close, but distinct, not crowded except anteriorly; scopa on fifth sternum black along posterior margin..M. brimleyi
Sixth tergum in profile with no erect or suberect hairs visible, the pubescence very short and closely appressed.. M. rubi
Sixth tergum in profile with at least suberect hairs visible..M. integrella
Front metatarsi more or less dilated, usually with colors other than black, and more or less excavated on the anterior margin..3.
Front tarsi not contrasting with the others, all black, piceous, or ferruginous..M. deflexa
Front coxal spines broadly spatulate, almost triangular, robust..M. brimleyi
Front coxal spines more slender and spine-like..4
Seventh tergum broadly rounded or subtriangular..5
Seventh tergum terminated by a quite definite spine-like median protuberance..M. rubi
Front metatarsi broadly dilated, equaling their tibiae in width; carina of sixth tergum broadly rounded and entire..M. integra
Front metatarsi relatively slender, distinctly narrower than their tibiae; carina of sixth tergum broadly rounded, but the margin irregularly crenulate..M. brimleyi
Note that M. brimleyi males come out twice in the key depending on the nature of their coxal spines.
County Records: Bay, Highlands, Levy
Locations:
Dates: July - September
Plants: Oligolege of Galactia
Notes: SE coastal plain endemic (NC to Florida)
Photos of female by HGH are of a specimen AMNH 252512 from North Carolina.
Photos of male by HGH are of a specimen AMNH 116320 from North Carolina.
County Records: Alachua; Clay, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Mitchell lists Duval Miami-Dade
Locations: Coral Gables, Interlachen; Mitchell lists Jacksonville Beach
Dates: April - November
Plants: Rhus glabra; polylectic, many composites and legumes
Notes:
Photos of female by HGH are of a specimen AMNH 130735 from Texas.
County Records: Alachua, Citrus, Clay, Escambia, Gilchrist, Highlands, Levy, Orange, Putnam
Locations: Austin Cary Memorial Forest, Goethe State Forest, Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, Orlando
Dates: May - Aug
Plants: Eriogonus tomentosus, Galactia sp, Glycine max, Phaseolus, many legumes and composites
Notes:
Photos of female by HGH are of a specimen AMNH 129922 from Illinois.
County Records: Alachua, Clay, Nassau, Putnam; Mitchell lists Lee
Locations: Austin Cary Memorial Forest, Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, Fort Myers
Dates: April - November
Plants: Chrysobalanus oblongifolus
Notes: SE coastal plain endemic (NC to Florida)
County Records: Alachua, Highlands, Liberty, Suwanee, (also caught in Lowndes County, Georgia)
Locations: Gainesville, Island Grove, Kanapaha Prarie, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
Dates: March - June
Plants: Coreopsis basalis, Helianthus annuus, Ilex cassine, Rubus sp.,
Notes: Nests in sandy loam soils; SE coastal plain endemic (NC to Florida)