Nomada Bee ID?

[matt_xyz]

Is it possible to more precisely identify this bee which I'm assuming to be a Nomada of some sort?





Matt

[Geoff F]

Yes Matt, a Nomada. But if you want more . . .

I would be tempted to consider N. goodeniana with N. marshamella as a back up answer. But I would like to see a top down shot.

However, perhaps one of the experts can be more specific; they are a tricky family though.

[JRsbugs]

I would really need to see first if it's a male or female as they differ. The antennae would give the clue if I could count the segments, I can't quite tell how many abdominal segments it has. I would also need to see the back view.

I have a shot of a Nomada goodeniana female showing some of the face, it does have some yellow at the eye edges but it's a different shape and this beast has a lot of orange hairs as well as a very rough, pitted thorax and head. The ones I have had do have some pale hairs and pitting, maybe the photo is showing it up more.

It can't be Nomada marshamella, that has an orange tegula.

The jury's out I'm afraid!

Janet

[matt_xyz]

thanks Geoff and Janet. I did think it might be tricky to be precise from these images alone.

Matt