Wasp/Bee (?) with red ring around abdomen

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 25-07-2009, 03:42 PM

I have literally JUST photographed this bee/wasp (not sure which) in my garden. It's a new one on me.

It was incredibly fast flying and only about 10mm long.

Any pointers as to where I should start with an ID would be appreciated...

Jane

tigger · #2 (**permalink**) 25-07-2009, 04:18 PM

Also want to check that it isn't a sawfly (as I know some of these can look similar to these)....

eucera · #3 (**permalink**) 25-07-2009, 05:01 PM

Male Lasioglossum calceatum I suspect!

tigger · #4 (**permalink**) 25-07-2009, 06:38 PM

Thanks Stuart.

What put me off was that all the pictures I've seen of Lasioglossum calceatum show it with light coloured stripes going through the red part of the abdomen (like this one I photographed last year in my garden).

Where as this one had very definite black stripes. Is their colouring very variable?

Thanks. Jane

eucera · #5 (**permalink**) 25-07-2009, 07:48 PM

It certainly is! You can get them with no red at all!

tigger · #6 (**permalink**) 25-07-2009, 10:33 PM

Thanks. I'll look out for them. Although if I find one with no red at all it will probably still completely stump me!

eucera · #7 (**permalink**) 26-07-2009, 07:52 AM

Hi Jane

Had a look under maximum mag on FlickR and I am now revising my thoughts on the identity to a male Sphecodes of some sort

Cheers, S

tigger · #8 (**permalink**) 26-07-2009, 08:11 AM

Thanks Eucera. I spotted your comment and have changed the description/title on Flickr.

Does that mean that last years one (photo above) is likely to be a Sphecodes as well?

Any tips on how to tell the two apart (Sphecodes sp & Lasioglossum calceatum, that is). ???

Jane