Hylaeus sp on Astrantia (?)

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 05:22 AM

Just wondered if anyone could help me with this little black bee, seen in my garden yesterday feeding on Astrantia. Actually there were several.

About 8-9mm long. Two small yellow markings on the face, one or two yellow dots just below where the wing meets the thorax and yellow on the leg.

I know these are notoriously difficult to distinguish to sp. level - so I may need to catch one...

Here are the best of the photos:

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 01:18 PM

It certainly looks like a female Hylaeus communis. I got pics on 15th June of a mating pair! That makes it much easier when you see the male.

Janet

tigger · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 01:27 PM

Hi Janet. Hope you are well.

I wasn't sure so I captured one yesterday and have sent it to Eucera today - so that he can have a look under his highpowered microscope.

In bees of surrey it says the females have a distinctive "striation" at the tip of the clypeus. Do you know what form this takes? I haven't been able to see this on the ones I've photographed so far.

Cheers. Jane

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 01:32 PM

Afternoon Jane,

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger

I wasn't sure so I captured one yesterday and have sent it to Eucera today - so that he can have a look under his highpowered microscope.

Excellent, please let us know what he comes back with. How did you package him?

Take care,

Jason

tigger · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 01:37 PM

Will do Jason.

Put it in a small plastic collecting jar with some foam (so it didn't get damaged) and wrapped in bubblewrap - then put in a padded bag.

Cheers. Jane

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 01:45 PM

Ah, thanks. Did you mark the parcel up as containing a live specimen? Still, I suppose that could scare a few posties!

JRsbugs · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 01:45 PM

Hi Jane,

I have got a semi-frontal pic of a female which I took on 12th June, I know I have some very close full frontal of the male's face somewhere! When I find those I'll upload them.

The female shot does show a 'striation' going diagonally by the looks below the yellow mark. High powered lens and a good opportunity!

Jason,

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Jason,

Sorry?

JRsbugs · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Sorry?

Jason, you're not that innocent to not know what I mean.

Female first, copula 2nd, 3 pics of a male. Don't forget to click again on the pics for closer detail.

tigger · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 02:30 PM

Thanks Janet. My pics aren't that close, so hopefully it will show up under the microscope.

I'm afraid it was very much dead when I sent it Jason. As a rule I don't like killing anything, but very occassionally it's the only way I can get a definite ID.

I'm trying to record the bees in our village for the Dorset Environmental Records Centre, and to try and protect them for the future, and wouldn't have a clear idea of ID without looking under a microscope occassionally.

Cheers. Jane