Jewel Wasp & two Bees for ID

[tigger]

A great weekend for watching bees/wasps in the garden.

I managed to spot this Jewel Wasp (is it Chrysura radians?) looking for mason bee nests in the masonry of my house. Very excited as this is a first for my garden.



Then spotted this bee (is it a Blue Mason Bee - Osmia caerulescens or another Osmia sp.?) feeding on cultivated scabious.



Finally I saw this bee late this afternoon. Looks like it could be a Leaf Cutter Bee (Megachile sp.) but which one?



Many thanks.

Jane

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Jane,

The first two look OK (as far as photo-based IDs can go with the first, though looks distinctive enough... ). I love the Jewel Wasp, I just wish they stayed around longer!

Take care,

Jason

[tigger]

Thanks Jason. The Jewel Wasp was a devil to photograph. Never stopped moving!

Any ideas on the last one anyone?

Cheers. Jane

[eucera]

Hi Jane

#1 The Chrysidid could be Chrysura or a species of Chrysis. I'd need to see the apex of the abdomen (Chryisis is toothed and Chrysura is completely smooth)

#2 Looks good

#3 Look like male Megachile centuncularis (I can't see any expanded fore-tarsi)

[The Woodman]

Eucera, is the apex of the abdomen the tail or the top where it joins the thorax?

[Jason Green]

Is the 'apex' of the abdomen, the very topper-most part of the dorsal surface Stuart? I've seen this description in keys before, but just haven't been too sure...

Apologies to Jane for enquiring in her thread

EDIT: Just seen TW asking the same!

[tigger]

Hi all

Thanks for your comments - and thanks Eucera for your IDs.

1 - I've looked at photos of both wasps that you mention, and can see the toothed and smooth apex (end of the abdomen) but no idea which mine had. I guess I will have to put Chrysidinae - Cuckoo Wasps sp. on the record.

2. thanks!

3. I can't see a photo of a Megachile centuncularis on the BWARS Gallery. When you said you couldn't see "expanded fore-tarsi" were you thinking it could be a Megachile willughbiella? (or have I got that presumption all wrong?).

Cheers. Jane

[eucera]

You are spot on Jane

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Eucera, is the apex of the abdomen the tail or the top where it joins the thorax?

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Is the 'apex' of the abdomen, the very topper-most part of the dorsal surface Stuart? I've seen this description in keys before, but just haven't been too sure.

The apex of the abdomen is the tail end of abdomen, the edge / point of the abdomen.

There is not really one specific word for where the "abdomen" joins the "thorax". I've put "abdomen" and "thorax" in quotes because actually what should be the first real segment of the abdomen forms the back of the "thorax" in aculeates (= the propodeum), the bits beyond the waist forming the "gaster".

For day to day practical use the words thorax and abdomen are what tend to appear in the keys, though just to be difficult the RES Chrysid key refers to the "gaster" throughout. Depending on its shape, the join can refer to the "petiole" or "waist" or "1st abdominal segment". Most keys also tend to direct you to the upper or lower parts of the segments, the "tergites" (top)and "sternites" (bottom). "Basal" refers to the part of the segment nearest the front of the animal, "apical" towards the back.

[Jim Ford]

Jewel wasps are beautiful creatures, but I'm sure the mason bees would disagree!

I've only ever seen one, but didn't have my camera with me - and the wasp didn't settle long enough anyway!

Jim