Something stuck to this solitary bee?

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by eucera

In UK, we only have Stylops on some Andrena, Lasioglossum and Halictus species. (In the latter 2 genera the genus of Stylopid is Halictoxenus)

S

Stuart, what about Vespula, I had some last autumn on males.

[JRsbugs]

I posted some pics of Stylopids on another thread..

Stylopids on Andrena and Vespula.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Stuart, what about Vespula, I had some last autumn on males.

Somewhere is a sample of aculeates I was sent to identify I have a stylopised Hylaeus specimen.

[tigger]

Thanks for all the comments. Really fascinating. Jane

[tigger]

I'm confused If "we only have Stylops on some Andrena, Lasioglossum and Halictus species." (quote: eucera) I thought that Osmia rufa was in the Megachilidae family... so does this mean that this isn't a Stylops? or isn't an Osmia rufa?

[eucera]

This is certainly a male O. rufa.

I don't think this is a Stylops as it looks to be just resting on the abdomen rather than protruding from between to tergites.

The mite Chaetodactylus osmiae is a likely candidate. These are not parasites, just hitch-hikers