Bee for ID : Help required!

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 07:59 AM

I have photographed this bee before, but have never managed to get a good enough photo for an ID (even to sp.)

So here goes again... I wondered if anyone recognises it?

Many thanks. Jane

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 06:56 PM

That is still a tricky one to ID. How much is natural colour and how much is pollen? As a pure guess, I would suggest a well worn specimen of Bombus pascuorum, which is quite common now.

But that is assuming it has dark pollen baskets which are now saturated with pollen.

Africa · #3 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 07:02 PM

It looks like a female Osmia rufa: note the horns on the face

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Africa

It looks like a female Osmia rufa: note the horns on the face

Correct!

Janet

tigger · #5 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 08:23 PM

Oh well done Africa. Hadn't spotted the horns! Thanks so much for all your replies.

Jane

Africa · #6 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 08:46 PM

being a birdwatcher converted into beewatcher I am constantly looking with pointers to species identity. With female O. rufa I find that the big, black, slightly bald looking head is a good pointer (and tawny, hairy abdomen) The horns can easily be seen without the help of a photo l if the bee stops to feed.