unidentified small bee

[meinchewster]

I observed this small bee today for some 30 mins, it was inspecting some newly turned over soil and stones (few weeks ago garden project) and measured approximately 10-15mm.

May be obvious but I cant say ive seen one on the garden before so any id confirmation welcomed.

Cheers.

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Mein,

This one?



Sorry, I can't help - it seems very pollen-covered. Stuart should be along soon...

Take care,

Jason

[meinchewster]

Hi Jason,

Yes thats the one but I cant bloody work out how to attach it to my original post....so youve done it for me now anyway

But yes thats the beasty in question, its baskets were full to the brink but what interested me was the tiny size, smaller than a bluebottle!

Probably common but hopefully not ey!

cheers.

[JRsbugs]

It looks like Andrena bicolor, it is very small compared to other Andrena.

There's also A. clarkella with black facial hairs but this just has the look of A. bicolor. Can't be 100% though.

I got a pic of a female A. bicolor yesterday with a load of pollen, they have have a certain stance.

Janet

[meinchewster]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

It looks like Andrena bicolor, it is very small compared to other Andrena.

There's also A. clarkella with black facial hairs but this just has the look of A. bicolor. Can't be 100% though.

I got a pic of a female A. bicolor yesterday with a load of pollen, they have have a certain stance.

Janet

Thanks Janet, I also got some shots from above and I agree, this bee definately had a particular stance.

I presume the bee was colleting minerals from the soil? or possible building material, but I also assume this is a solitary species and with the baskets full, maybe cacheing the pollen?

Would be interested to know more about the life history if anyone knows?

[Matt Smith]

Under all that pollen, your bee is a small Andrena, but thats about as far as a definate ID can go. Perhaps it is nesting nearby, or just stopped on a bit of bare soil for a warm up in the sun before it gets home.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by meinchewster

Thanks Janet, I also got some shots from above and I agree, this bee definately had a particular stance.

I presume the bee was colleting minerals from the soil? or possible building material, but I also assume this is a solitary species and with the baskets full, maybe cacheing the pollen?

Would be interested to know more about the life history if anyone knows?

They make their nests in the ground, using the pollen to feed each of their larva I believe but I can't say exactly what their structure is.

I'll upload my pic of A. bicolor to compare, I often see this one taking a rest on a leaf and it's one I have every year.

[JRsbugs]

Here she is..