Hovering bee - possibly Colletes sp?

[Geoff F]

In my S. Devon garden.

Trying to photograph flying hoverflies without much success, but this individual was hovering a bit steadier. Then it settled on a leaf for a few moments.



I was thinking about one of the Colletes species, but I haven't really done any serious thinking about it yet. Possibly a Coelioxys as a second choice?

So any suggestions from the bee experts?

[eucera]

Its a male Colletes. Could this be Colletes hederae?? Have you checked the Ivy flowers in the area??

[Geoff F]

Thanks for confirming Colletes and giving a possible species. Now I will try to follow up your suggestion.

There is flowering ivy in the area so I will keep a look out for any more of them.

[Geoff F]

After a quick flick through the Bwars site I am begining to think that C. halophilus or C. similis might be the answer here. I will keep looking elsewhere though.

But after reading that site I think you have answered my next post about Masses of bees. They do look very like C. hederae on a mating frenzy.

That does surprise me but I see that there have been other recordings in my area.

[eucera]

It is very unlikely to be Colletes halophilus. This species is restricted to coastal saltmarshes, along the east coast, then the Channel Coast from Spurn Point as far west at Christchurch Harbour. There are no Devon records at all. The species forages at Sea Aster (Aster tripolium)

As far as C. similis goes, it is a possibility, but it would be very late in the year to be finding males of the species anywhere.

The most likely are C. succinctus (if there is any heather in your area) or C. hederae.

[Geoff F]

Yes plenty of heather, both winter and summer flowing here and in neighbouring gardens.

My unscientific thinking was that this bee has thoracic hair which is rather too dense on top and too pale in colour for C. hederae. The abdominal bands also appear rather pale.

But we now know that C. hederae is in this area so it could possibly be a 'lost' older specimen.

Only managed those couple of quick photos and haven't seen it since.