Extracted from: Grigarick A.A., & Stange L.A., (1968). The Pollen Collecting Bees of the Anthidiini of California (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) Bulletin of the California Insect Survey Volume 9.
Anthidium larreae Cockerell, 1897. Can. Ent., 29(8):220; 9, $. Holotype 9, Las Cruces, Messilla Valley, New Mexico. (USNM).
California records.—IMPERIAL CO.: Coyote Wells, 1 o IV-12-38 (E. Van Duzee, CAS). Holtville, 8 mi. E, 1 $] 2 9, IV-8-63; 2 <$, 1 9, IV-19-62 (R. Westcott, UCD)'. Palo Verde, 3 mi. S, 2 6\ IV-9-63, Larrea divaricata (J. Powell, CIS). INYO CO.: Inyo Mts., 1 3,1 9, VI-1-37 (E. Van Dyke, CAS). Keeler-Darwin, 1 8, V-22-37 (E. Van Dyke, CAS). Little Lake, 1 9, VI-2-17 (C. Fox, CAS). Mazourka Canyon, 1 9, VII-2-53 (H. Nakakihara, UCR). KERN Co.: Mojave, 1 $, VI-1-17 (C. Fox, CAS); 5 mi. N,
6\ VI-2-57 (J. Lawrence, CIS). Los ANGELES CO.: Little Rock, 1 $, IV-7-55 (P. Opler, SS). Mojave Desert, Highway 138, 3 $,2 9, V-13-44, on Salvia Dorrii (P. Timberlake, UCR). RIVERSIDE CO.: Blythe, 18 mi. W, 1 9, IV-2-63 (M. Irwin, UCD); 2 $,2 9, IV-16-37, on Larrea divaricata (P. Timberlake, UCR). Chino Canyon, nr. Palm Springs, 1 $, IV-21-60, on Larrea divaricata (J. Powers, CIS). Cottonwood Springs, 1 5,1 9, IV-26-49 (J. Gillaspy, CIS). Hopkins Well, 1 9, IV-16-58, on Baileya (J. Powell, CIS); 9 S, 2 9, IV-29-52, on Larrea divaricata (P. Hurd, G. Marsh, J. Rozen, CIS). Palm Canyon, 1 $, IV-5-25 (P-Timberlake, UCR). Palm Springs, 1 $, 111-30-16 (C. Fox, CAS); 2 9, IV-9-32, on Larrea divaricata (P. Timberlake, UCR); 9 mi. NE, 1 $, IV-19-57, on Larrea divaricata (R-Snelling, M. Stage, SS); 6 mi. W, 2 9, V-6-46, on Larrea divaricata (P. Timberlake, UCR). Whitewater Canyon, 1 S>
jV-26-36, on Larrea divaricata (P. Timberlake, UCR). SAN PERNARDINO CO.: Adelanto, 1 $, V-23-45 (A. Melander, t/CR)» Apple Valley, 2 $, 1 9, V—26-41, on Larrea divaricata (p. Timberlake, UCR). Kramer Hills, 1 9, IV-18-62, on tfachaeranthera tortifolia (P. Timberlake, UCR). Manix, 22 mi. N, 5 S, 1 9, IV-26-53, Larrea divaricata (P. Hurd, G. Marsh, R. Schuster, CIS). Morongo Valley, 2 3,1 9, V-26-41 (E. Van Dyke, CAS). Ord Mt, 1 9, IV-19-60, on Senecio Dougtasii (J. Powell, CIS). Victorville, 4 mi. SW, 1 6\ 3 9, V-4-39, on Larrea divaricata (P. Timberlake, UCR). Yermo, j 9, VI-7-41 (E. Van Dyke, CAS). SAN DlEGO Co.: Borrego, 13 ^, 6 9, V—1 to 2—52, on Larrea divaricata (P. Hurd, G. Marsh, J. Rozen, CIS). Coyote Creek, 1 6\ 111-26-59 (A. Grigarick, UCD).
The color pattern of this bee is yellow maculations on black. The metasomal bands are nearly straight and uninterrupted except for a slight tendency toward dorso-lateral emarginations. The concave ter-gum VI of the female, median emargination of the male tergum VII, and all yellow markings easily separate larreae from the other species in California.
This desert species is collected in southern California in the spring. It is most frequently found on creosote bush but has also been recorded on three species of Compositae and one Labiatae. Sixty males and 40 females have been examined.
The nesting habits of H. larreae were observed by MacSwain (1946) in New Mexico. Several dozen nests were found in a bare mound of hand-packed reddish-brown silt He reported that individual burrows were excavated which penetrated 10 to 16 cm to a cavity from which vasiform cells (10 mm by 6-7.5 mm) radiated as numerous fingers. The cells (fig. 229) were constructed of plant resin and soil. The larvae spun brown mammilate cocoons, overwintered, and transformed to adults the following spring. No parasites were recovered.
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