[ID] Two bees...

[Jason Green]

Hi all,

Any ideas on these two bees, please?

21/07/2009

1. Maybe a Colletes sp.?
and if so, my first.

21/07/2009

2. Maybe a Megachille sp.?
...maybe the extended jaw detail is indicative?

Any pointers welcome.

Take care,

Jason

[eucera]

The first is a female Dasypoda altercator (= D. hirtipes); and the second looks like a female Halictus rubicundus

[Jason Green]

Thanks Stuart. So is the first D. hirtipes or D. altercator? Sorry, there's just a couple of finer bits of Latin naming systems I'm unfamiliar with. That's also an Nb species?

[Africa]

The first one is a stunning bee, it reminds me of one I saw in the Canaries. What is the second one doing with its mouth? yawning?

[Jason Green]

Thanks Af. I like the first one too, this means I still haven't seen a Colletes though! I think the second seemed to be cleaning itself in some way.

[eucera]

The correct name for a is Dasypoda altercator. The (= D. hirtipes) means that bracketted name is in widespread (but incorrect) use and you are likely to find reference pics and articles etc. under this name.

[Jason Green]

Thanks Stuart - I'll credit you of course when the photographs appear on my website.

[eucera]

Originally Posted by Africa

The first one is a stunning bee, it reminds me of one I saw in the Canaries.

Hi Africa

D. altercator does occur on the Canary Islands, along with its congener D. sinuata

S