Another bee ID plea

[The Black Rabbit]

We have a tiny hole in our back gate (we don't have a "bee hotel").
During this year I have recorded both sexes of Blue Mason Bees and both sexes of Red Mason Bees using the hole (as a shelter if nothing else).
The hole has also been investigated by Masked (Yellow-faced) Bees, and at least two Ruby-Tailed Wasps.

Last night we had another (new?) visitor to our bee hole.
It looks like its the shape (and approximate size? - CERTAINLY bigger than a Blue Mason bee) of a female Red Mason Bee, but I don't think its the right colour. Its not the same colour as our last Red Mason female anyhoo.

Stuart - (or anyone else) - any chance you could put me out of my misery and tell me exactly what species this bee is?

Oh - as a size scale, the screw head the bee is sitting on (very near the hole) is EXACTLY 10mm across (diameter).

Many thanks for any help (in advance).

(NB all 3 photographs are of the same bee).








Ta.

T Bee R.

[eucera]

Hi! This is one of the leaf-cutter bees (Megachile sp.). I'm afraid I can't get beyond genus from these pics but it is likely to be one of about 3 species.

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by eucera

Hi! This is one of the leaf-cutter bees (Megachile sp.). I'm afraid I can't get beyond genus from these pics but it is likely to be one of about 3 species.

Ah.
Cheers Stuart.
We have plenty of Leafcutters too, but I've only noticed (and photographed) MUCH bigger species of Megachile in the garden.
Interesting.
Thanks again.
Doug

[eucera]

The smallest of the common Megachile species is M. centuncularis (I have them here in Salisbury). This doesn't constitute an ID of your specimen though, just a pointer as to what it might be!