Bee - Is this Halictus Tumulorum?

[slimrbp]

Hi,

I have attempted an ID, is this Halictus Tumulorum?





Thanks,

[Geoff F]

Difficult to be sure from that angle as some Andrena and Lasioglossum species are similar. But it does have a rather brassy greenish tinge which is a good sign.

Maybe one of the bee specialists can add a bit more detail.

[eucera]

Hi

I can't be sure from this angle if it is H. tumulorum, or one of the Lasioglossum morio group (4 spp in UK). I can say it isn't an Andrena as we have no metallic green coloured species in UK

[slimrbp]

Thanks for the replies, must take more pictures next time!

I never seem to get the right angle for an ID! Out of interest is the best shot a top down or side on?

[Geoff F]

Both!

As you say, you will never have the correct angle for a positive ID. Whatever shots you take will be missing the vital ingredient. That's life.

The trouble is that to ID some insects you need a wing shot while others need a fore or hind leg, or full face view, etc.

All you can do is take as many shots as possible from different angles and hope that you have included the necessary important bits. But that needs a docile subject, so just do your best, and hope that somebody, like Eucera, can put all the information together and come up with a possible ID.

I say possible, because it is often impossible to be 100% sure from photographs - even good ones.

[eucera]

For dealing with the L. morio group... you need microscope shots of the marginal area of T1 &T2, the centre of the thorax, and the episternum (area under the wing bases. The facial shape is also important. Tricky stuff!