Miner bee ID

[Lord V]

First decent miner bee shots I've managed this year. Think this one was doing some honey mastication rather than preparing to attack me.
Not sure it's actually the same bee in the shots.
Any suggestions on species of Andrena ?

Thanks

Brian v.

[eucera]

The long genal spine, and the reddish bits on the abdomen suggest a male Andrena trimmerana

[Lord V]

Thanks eucera
Brian V.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Lord V

First decent miner bee shots I've managed this year. Think this one was doing some honey mastication rather than preparing to attack me.
Not sure it's actually the same bee in the shots.
Any suggestions on species of Andrena ?

Nice photo, you have caught the genal spine (the spine on the "cheek" just above the mandible articulation) very nicely.

[Lord V]

Thanks
ok will show my total ignorance now- what is the genal spine ?- the pointy bit pointing downwards just in front of the eye ?

Brian V.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Lord V

Thanks
ok will show my total ignorance now- what is the genal spine ?- the pointy bit pointing downwards just in front of the eye ?

Brian V.

Yes - thats the bit, gena = "the cheek", the presence or absence and the relative size make it a useful keying feature for male Andrena.

[Lord V]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

Yes - thats the bit, gena = "the cheek", the presence or absence and the relative size make it a useful keying feature for male Andrena.

Thanks Matt for the explanation
Brian v.