Bee poss Andrena bicolor for ID check please

[Geoff F]

In my S. Devon garden, today. Fairly small, say 10 mm.



I've tried to run this bee through some ID keys which resulted in Andrena (possibly); and with the black facial hair and underneath the second femur, I am wondering about A. bicolor.

But this is one area, of many, where my knowledge is rather weak, so I would appreciate a second opinion from a more experienced person.

[ladyhawk]

looks simular to Colletes succinctus,

[tristanba]

male bicolor looks likely to me - I had a few today in London

[Geoff F]

Thanks.

Male or female? I keep getting different results when I try to count the segments and end up with any variation between 11 and 14!

I did initially consider C. succinctus after getting confused over a wing vein because the wing in my key was facing in the opposite direction to this bee. But the apparent pale banding here is just a trick of the light. Now that I have processed the other photos I can see that the abdomen is really a shiny black.

[JRsbugs]

Geoff, you can tell the male by lack of pollen baskets.

[Geoff F]

Yes, in theory, Janet; but I often get confused with this as well.

Full baskets mean female and I am fine with that. But empty baskets, or a male? That possibility always leaves me a bit unsure about whether it is male or female, and this rather fresh male does appear to have fairly hairy hind legs.

Which is why I tried to count the antennae segments to double check. Now that I have a clear starting point I think I can see that segments 3 and 4 are appearing to look as one joint.

Anyway thanks for the information.

ps. an interesting day today; also saw my first 7 spot ladybird, and a jumping spider. Heliophanus cupreus I think (I haven't processed the photos yet). I was hoping they had survived the winter. And a Long Tailed Tit at the feeder.