Ptiloglossa arizonensis Timberlake 1946

Ptiloglossa arizonensis Timberlake

This species was described from Portal, Arizona, at flowers of Solarium elaeagnifolium (Timberlake, 1946) and its pollen-collecting behavior at S. elaeagnifolium, S. rostratum, and Cassia bauhiniodes has been reported by Linsley (1962b) and Linsley and Cazier (1970). Adults are active in late summer and fall. Near Portal, Arizona, we have observed P. arizonensis taking pollen and nectar from Larrea in the early morning, mostly between 0445 and 0600, and occasionally returning for nectar in the evening (1700–1930). However, although the females frequently visit Larrea, since it is not a preferred host, pollen-collecting females often carry mixed or foreign loads, especially from Solarium, which produces little or no nectar.

Males have been taken while feeding on Larrea nectar in the morning but, as yet, not in the evening—nor have they been observed in territory around Larrea plants.

Both sexes are very fast fliers and forage on the upper and outer parts of the plant.