Two bees for ID please

laetoli · #1 (**permalink**) 31-05-2011, 01:16 AM

Please would someone id these bees for me. I think they're different to the ones I posted last time (if they're not, that's very embarassing and I apologise!) Images 2 & 3 are of the same individual bee in a Campanula persificolia. Bee #1 seems (to me, a rank novice) to have a very distinctive head & antennae. Is it possible to go down to species level from these shots?
Mucho gracias,
Paul

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 31-05-2011, 06:28 AM

Morning Jane,

The first is a Sphecid, and could be a species of Crossocerus. I doubt you could go further without a specimen.

The second looks interesting! How long?

Take care,

Jason

Matt Smith · #3 (**permalink**) 31-05-2011, 07:00 AM

Your two little bees in the Campanula are likely to be Chelostoma campanularum. Tiny things, nest in old woodworm galleries.

eucera · #4 (**permalink**) 31-05-2011, 08:16 AM

2 & 3 look like male Micrandrena rather than Chelostoma to me. The mandibles are all wrong for a megachilid aren't they?

laetoli · #5 (**permalink**) 31-05-2011, 11:13 AM

Thanks Stuart, Jason, Matt
Best wishes
Paul

Matt Smith · #6 (**permalink**) 31-05-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eucera

2 & 3 look like male Micrandrena rather than Chelostoma to me. The mandibles are all wrong for a megachilid aren't they?

Possibly, the the shot of the top and back of the head just doesn't "look right" for an Andrena to me......

Thats why voucher specimens are so useful at times. See if you can find the bees again, if they are female they will have their scopa (pollen collecting hairs) on the underside of their abdomens like a small brush.