Bee for id. Is this Megachile ?

[mickmassie]

There were several of these bees hanging round on rotting logs, one per log. They didn't appear to be working on the wood at all. I thought Megachile, but am not very confident. Certainly no sign of leaf cutting. Help please ?

[JRsbugs]

It's a male Megachile, looks like M. willughbiella as they have swollen front legs/tarsi which apparently aids in pheromone transfer during reproduction.

The males are very territorial, buzzing around fending off other males or even other bees! I have a pic of one biting a Bombus lucorum!

Janet

[mickmassie]

Thanks Janet, I'll check the legs on other photos. I don't think I get this one in my garden. M.

[eucera]

Could also be M. maritima. I have found this species in the London area (Feltham and Hounslow Heath). All in all though, M. willughbiella is more likely.

I have seen pics of these bees mating, and the expanded fore tarsi very neatly cover the eyes of the female.

[mickmassie]

This wasn't on heathland (Ruislip Woods).
This shows the front leg a bit better. Thanks. M.

[JRsbugs]

I've uploaded a pic of a worn looking M. willughbiella male I took early this month, it shows the front legs and it does look like yours!

Also uploaded some pics of a female I took this year, an earlier sighting and later worn so if you see one you might recognise it.

[mickmassie]

Thanks for taking the time to upload those Janet, very kind.

Although these were in a woodland, there are some heath areas not far away.

M.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by mickmassie

Thanks for taking the time to upload those Janet, very kind.

Although these were in a woodland, there are some heath areas not far away.

M.

I have it in my garden and I wouldn't say I have heathland type vegetation, not sure what that is exactly but there are 'heaths' around Lincoln! I have many woodland type insects as there are small woods around and I have trees. I also get a mixture of other insects which normally are in completely different habitats than mine!

[mickmassie]

My 'heath' comment was in relation to Eucera saying he'd seen M maritima at Hounslow Heath. Bees of Surrey says it is found on 'a few hot sandy places inland'. It also says that M willughbiella is found 'often in gardens' but is scarce on clay.
Ever onward. M.

[JRsbugs]

My area is definitely sandy. I had to google to see what M. maritima looks like, but can't rely on most pics! I did find a male showing the front legs on this French site, which in theory one would imagine would be correct. The front legs don't have all that hair on, maybe Stuart can tell us more on the differences.

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