Bees and beetles for ID

Africa · #1 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 08:16 PM

In the last few days, large female leafcutters have been feeding and collecting pollen from my everlasting peas. The first few days I saw them their scopas were laden with pollen, although I could see they were two-coloured. Yesterday I got this shot of one with a clean scopa, the fact that they nicely lift their abdomens when feeding made it easier for me to get it.

Also, fresh bombus hypnorum have been coming to my lavender, I got the impression this one is a male. There were 5 sp of bumblebees feeding on my lavenders yesterday (males B. lapidarius, B. terrestris, males lucorum, hypnorum and pascuorum), what a bumble magnet.

This beetle scuttled across the living room when I lifted the newspaper for recycling. I took the photo on a white bowl and I am quite pleased with it. I might start a white bowl series

With this other carabid I tried the flowerpot technique: much poorer results.

Any help with identification much appreciated.

jaguarondi · #2 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 08:57 PM

I think the first carabid is Harpalus rufipes - I say that because of the matt appearance of the elytra (due to them being covered in fine hairs)

Perhaps Harpalus aeneus is a possibility for the second

Africa · #3 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 09:06 PM

Thank you jaguarondi, yes there is some very fine pubescence in the original photo (I reduced the resolution for posting it), and apparently the species is a vegetarian carabid. It is funny I find it indoors quite often. The green one was also indoors.

jaguarondi · #4 (**permalink**) 23-07-2010, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Africa

Thank you jaguarondi, yes there is some very fine pubescence in the original photo (I reduced the resolution for posting it), and apparently the species is a vegetarian carabid. It is funny I find it indoors quite often. The green one was also indoors.

Yes, Harpalus rufipes seems to like invading buildings. At work I got fed up of rescuing them and throwing them outside.

Paul mabbott · #5 (**permalink**) 23-07-2010, 08:45 AM

Probably agreed but what lengths were these?
You should also be aware that there's been a lot of name-changing amongst the former Harpalus - just to confuse the innocent.

Africa · #6 (**permalink**) 23-07-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Probably agreed but what lengths were these?
You should also be aware that there's been a lot of name-changing amongst the former Harpalus - just to confuse the innocent.

I would say the black one 12 mm or so, the green one smaller, maybe 10 mm.