Phacelia
Guides
Chelostoma phaceliae
Chelostoma phaceliae is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae, described by Michener in 1938. Like other members of the genus Chelostoma, it is a specialist bee with narrow ecological associations. The species is native to North America and is part of the diverse assemblage of solitary bees that provide essential pollination services without forming social colonies.
Colletes phaceliae
phacelia cellophane bee
Colletes phaceliae is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Colletidae, commonly known as the phacelia cellophane bee. Like other members of the genus Colletes, females construct subterranean burrows and line brood cells with a cellophane-like secretion from the Dufour's gland, creating waterproof chambers for their larvae. The species is found in North America and is named for its association with phacelia flowers.
Ethmia brevistriga
Ethmia brevistriga is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, endemic to California. Adults are active from March to mid-May. The species exhibits distinct wing patterning with a white line on dark brown forewings, and has two recognized subspecies showing habitat-related color variation. Larvae are specialized feeders on Phacelia distans.
Pseudomasaris micheneri
Pseudomasaris micheneri is a pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, described by Bohart in 1963. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary wasp that constructs mud nests and provisions cells with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species belongs to a group of wasps that exhibit oligolectic pollination relationships, primarily visiting flowers in the genera Penstemon, Phacelia, and Eriodictyon. Males are known to exhibit hilltopping behavior, perching at elevated sites to await females.
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.
Tinagma gaedikei
Tinagma gaedikei is a small moth in the family Douglasiidae, described by Harrison in 2005. It is known from a restricted range in the central United States, specifically central Illinois and northern Kentucky. The species has a specialized two-year life cycle tied to its host plant, with larvae feeding internally on fruits.