Description: Individual bee species can be distinguished from each other by the hairiness of their body, by the first segment (tarsus) of the hind leg which is generally enlarged and flattened, and their wings. Length of female Mojave gypsum bee 11 - 13 mm (to 0.5 in.), wing length 4 mm (0.16 in.). Specific diagnostic features for females are red abdomen, short dense body hairs, and high vertex (top of head between eyes). Length of male bee
9 - 12 mm (to 0.47 in.), wing length 4 mm (0.16 in.), vertex high, and yellow spot in the eye. Wing membranes of both sexes are hyaline (transparent, colorless) with dark-red to reddish brown veins. Outer coverings mostly black except features described above. Flight period of Mojave gypsum bee is from March to early May.
Diet: Mojave gypsum bee collects pollen from a single plant species, the sunray (Enceliopsis argophylla), which is also the sole source of pollen for its offspring.
Habitat: Bees occur in various habitats, and nest on the ground (a characteristic of the Andrenidae family), or in various natural cavities. Mojave gypsum bees are restricted to the habitat of its host plant, sunray.
Range: Endemic to Clark County, Nevada, and the Arizona side of Lake Mead. Occurs in areas around Lake Mead and the Las Vegas basin where it is restricted to the gypsum soils associated with its host plant.
Comments: Mojave gypsum bee is considered a High Priority Evaluation Species. It is one of over 30 rare bee species in Clark County, Nevada, and of over 600 bee species in the Mojave Desert.