Ashmeadiella meliloti

Members of Ashmeadiella are small, slender megachilid bees, typically 5-10 mm in length. They can be distinguished from other Osmiini by the presence of a carinate rim on the posterior margin of the sixth metasomal tergum in females, and the relatively elongate, parallel-sided body form. Identification to species level requires examination of male genitalia and other microscopic characters; A. meliloti specifically has not been comprehensively described in modern literature.

The genus Ashmeadiella is primarily associated with arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Species in this genus often nest in pre-existing cavities in dead wood, stems, or rock crevices. Based on distribution records, A. meliloti occurs in similar xeric environments.

Recorded from North America and Middle America. Specific locality records suggest a range in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, consistent with the broader distribution pattern of the genus.

As with other Ashmeadiella species, females are expected to be solitary nesters that collect plant resins for nest construction and cell partitioning. They carry pollen on the scopa beneath the abdomen, typical of Megachilidae. Males do not participate in nest construction.

As a pollen-collecting bee, it likely functions as a pollinator of native flowering plants in its habitat. The specific plant associations of A. meliloti have not been documented.

• Other Ashmeadiella speciesCongeneric species are morphologically similar and require detailed examination of male genitalia, tergal rim structures, and other subtle characters for reliable identification.
• Hoplitis (Alcidamea) speciesSimilar small size, slender form, and resin-using nesting behavior; distinguished by differences in tergal structure and genital morphology.
• Heriades speciesSmall megachilid bees with similar body proportions; Heriades typically have more robust mandibles and different tergal sculpturing.

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life