odd thorax covering on mason bee ?

Lord V · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 07:18 AM

Think this is a mason bee Osmia sp. but what on earth has it got on it's thorax ?- almost looks like brick dust ? It seemed to be behaving normally- doing it's territorial patrols

Brian v.

eucera · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:30 AM

Its a male Megachile willughbiella Brian. There likely answer is pollen from some unknown source

Lord V · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eucera

Its a male Megachile willughbiella Brian. There likely answer is pollen from some unknown source

Thanks for the ID eucera (I'm wrong again).
By any chance is this the female of the species busy filling holes in a nearby wall ?

Brian v.

eucera · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:39 AM

Looks very like it, yes! Maybe the colouring/dust is from the roof of this sort of hole!

Lord V · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eucera

Looks very like it, yes! Maybe the colouring/dust is from the roof of this sort of hole!

Thanks again eucera

Did wonder that about the dust- does look a bit like brick dust, but hadn't seen the male near the holes- he was doing territorial patrolling nearby.
Brian V.