Reprinted from: Snelling, R. 1970. STUDIES ON NORTH AMERICAN BEES OF THE GENUS
HYLAEUS. 5. THE SUBGENERA HYLAEUS. S. STR. AND
PARAPROSOPIS (HYMENOPTERA: COLLETIDAE) Contributions in Science, No. 180.
This common species ranges from southern Oregon to northern Baja
California. A disjunct population exists in north central Arizona. In California
H. calvus occurs through much of the Upper Sonoran area, along the coast
ranges and the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Although in flight from
early April until the middle of July it is most abundant during May and June.
The females are often taken in large numbers at flowers of various chaparral
shrubs such as Rhamnus, Eriodictyon, Rhus and Ceanothus.
The following are the marginal localities known to me for H. calvus:
MEXICO. Baja California del Norte: 1 ~,Encinas, 4 mi. S., Sierra San Pedro
Martir, VI-2-1958 (1. Powell; CIS). UNITED STATES. Oregon: 2 g g,
Griffin Creek, Jackson Co., VI-6-1957 (C. Fitch; UCD). Nevada: 1 g, 1 ~,
Verdi, Washoe Co., VI-25-1961 (F. D. Parker; UCD). Arizona: 1 g, Parker
Creek, Sierra Ancha, V-4-1947 (H. and M. Townes); 4 g g, 1 ~,Oak
Creek Canyon, Coconino Co., V-16-1947 (H. and M. Townes); 1 g, same
locality and collectors, V-19-1947; 1 g, 2 ~ ~, same locality and collectors,
V-20-1947; 1 ~,same locality, VI-26-1950 (L. D. Beamer; all UK).
This is one of the least variable of our species of Paraprosopis and one of
the most easily recognized. In the female the combination of maculate clypeus,
angularly produced laterobasal angle of the anterior coxae, shining, sparsely
punctate mesopleurae and sparsely punctate abdomen are diagnostic. Typical
males may be recognized by the lateral face marks truncate at the level of the
antennal sockets, the finely, sparsely punctate shining mesopleurae and dull,
densely tesselate abdomen. Males of this species, as well as those of H. nevadensis
and H. polifolii, may have the clypeal borders broadly infuscated and
the lateral face marks strongly narrowed above, ending acutely on the eye
margin. Such males of this species may be recognized by the shining mesopleurae
and dull abdomen with the punctures obscured by the dense tesselation.
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