By C. M. Smith Rich
As of approximately April 21, 2026, the Mesoxaea texana are back on the South Texas Sand Sheet!
Net-new associated taxa: Berlandier’s Fiddlewood ~ Citharexylum berlandieri
The Mesoxaea texana have returned to the South Texas Sand Sheet several weeks earlier than I had anticipated—April 21, 2026—late in the afternoon, to be exact. There were approximately 7 to 10 individuals buzzing around two Berlandier’s Fiddlewoods that were exploding with blooms thanks to my generous, weekly waterings.
[Puerto Rico, Texas, has been in drought since December 2, 2025.]
The rare bees were spotted initially, on this day, at approximately 2:54 p.m., nectaring and collecting pollen from the two Berlandier’s Fiddlewoods I planted a few years back. The rare bees continued to hang out and remain on the Fiddlewoods the rest of the day—even right up until dusk was giving way to the first few minutes of darkness falling over the South Texas Sand Sheet, which was approximately 7:58 p.m.
Thankfully, I was able to get a picture of “El Guapo,” a handsome, male Mesoxaea texana, sleeping in the curved, green leaves as a gentle Southeasterly breezed rocked him to sleep. This is a sight I may never get to see again, and I do feel blessed to have had this opportunity to photograph it for us.
Slide show for your review and enjoyment:
Thank you for your time!
- “El Guapo,” our rare Mesoxaea texana, catching some Z’s on the South Texas Sand Sheet!
- Mesoxaea texana update from the South Texas Sand Sheet, and guess what? The Protoxaea gloriosa are back!!!!!!!
- “Male Mesoxaea texana on the South Texas Sand Sheet”
- “Female Mesoxaea texana on the South Texas Sand Sheet”
- “Making more Mesoxaea texana on the South Texas Sand Sheet”
