Megachile (Xanthosarus) melanophaea Smith, 1853

Megachile melanophaea Smith, 1853: 191 . Drons 2012: 58. Burkle et al. 2020: 7.

Megachile (Delomegachile) melanophaea; Mitchell 1935b: 190; 1962: 138. Butler 1965: 6. Hurd 1979: 2060. Ivanochko 1979: 215. Fultz 2005: 134.

Megachile (Xanthosarus) melanophaea; Scott et al. 2011: 56. Sheffield et al. 2011: 81. Kuhlman and Burrows 2017: 13. Reese et al. 2018: 23. Delphia et al. 2019a: 25. Sheffield and Heron 2019: 70.

Megachile melanophaea wootoni; Mitchell 1935b: 190.

Diagnosis. The female of M. melanophaea can be distinguished by its white pubescence on T1–2, contrasting the dark pubescence on T3–5, orange scopal setae on S2–6, and mandibles gradually tapering in width from base to apex (viewed laterally) (Fig. 6I). The female of M. melanophaea is most similar to M. gemula (see M. gemula above). The male of M. melanophaea can be identified by its 4-toothed mandibles and the dorsal face of the protibia, which has a rounded, spatulate posterior angle and an entirely pale apex. The male of M. melanophaea is most similar to M. gemula (see M. gemula above).

Notes. This species has been collected widely in Montana, with sparser records in the eastern part of the state, reflecting the general trend of more intensive collecting in the western portion of the state (Fig. 1T). Photographs, a full morphological description, and notes on the biology of this soil-nesting species can be found in Sheffield et al. (2011).