little bee ID

[Ape]

Hello there,
I spotted this bee in a seaside village in Cornwall last september. I guess it is no rarity.(I saw a similar one yesterday) Still, I couldn't find it in any of my insect books. This is the only picture I managed to take before it took off. Unfortunately there is some detail off the legs lost due to the flash settings.



I wonder what is that "lower lip outgrowth" (mask?) for. Anything to do with nectar processing? Do all bees have one one? If not, which one do? Could anyone help, please?

[Jason Green]

Hi Ape, and welcome to WAB

It's a Lasioglossum sp., and maybe L. calceatum. This one comes up on here fairly regularly. Maybe I'll see my first before the 2009 bee season is out...

Take care,

Jason

[Ape]

Thanks Jason,
this site is brilliant for solving wildlife mysteries and learning new stuff, isn't it? I am only afraid I am one of those, who need more help here, than they can actually offer.

[Ape]

Thanks Jason,
this site is brilliant for solving wildlife mysteries and learning new stuff, isn't it? I am only afraid I am one of those, who need more help here, than they can actually offer themselves. I mean I am going to learn more here, than I can teach back.