Identification of bees and wasps

brianholland · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 07:01 PM

My wife who is the photographer and I were beside the River Tees last month when we saw these extremly tiny wasps which I think from my insect book may be didder wasps.They were on a very dry river bank

They were carrying pollen laden sack into burows.

I would love to know their true identity please. Can anyone help.

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 07:17 PM

That looks like one of the Mining Bees, to me. But there are quite a few similar looking species which require a really good photo to identify correctly.

Your bee might be one of several Andrena species but there are a few other families which might also fit.

One of the bee experts may be able to offer a more precise answer but I suspect a more detailed photo will be required.

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 07:30 PM

Looks like Andena bicolor, a solitary bee.

Janet

brianholland · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 09:28 AM

Thank you for your comments and the trouble you have taken to help.

My wife apologises for the photograph quality but she was using her Canon G9 hastily not really expecting to take photos of insects but hoping more for dippers using her 100 x 400 lens

Glad we now have identification - pleased I joined WAB as I was told it was good.