Perdita semicaerulea Cockerell 1896

Perdita (Perdita) semicaerulea Cockerell

This species, which is a member of the Sphaeralceae group, is the only representative included in the Semicaerulea subgroup. Described originally from Larrea flowers at San Marcial, Socorro County, New Mexico, it has since been collected at various localities from Terrell County, Texas, through New Mexico to Arizona and northern Mexico (Timberlake, 1964). Collection records for females are almost exclusively from Larrea. Flight activity involves both the spring and autumn blooming period of Larrea in regions characterized by both winter and summer rainfall. This was by far the most abundant species of Perdita encountered by us in southeastern Arizona in both the spring and fall.