Hydrophyllaceae
Guides
Oidaematophorus phaceliae
Phacelia Plume Moth
Oidaematophorus phaceliae is a plume moth distributed across western North America from Yukon to California and Baja California. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 25 mm with distinctive fawn-brown forewings marked with white and smoky scaling. Larvae feed on Hydrophyllaceae plants including Phacelia and Hydrophyllum virginianum, with pupation occurring on dead leaves of the host plant.
Pseudomasaris phaceliae
Scorpionweed pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris phaceliae is a solitary pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, known as the scorpionweed pollen wasp. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits oligolectic behavior, collecting pollen and nectar from a narrow range of flowering plants to provision its mud nest cells. The species is native to western North America and is one of approximately 14 species in the genus Pseudomasaris, the only masarine genus occurring in North America. Males are distinguished by their elongated, clubbed antennae and engage in hilltopping behavior to locate females.