Small bee for ID if possible

[nutmeg]

This small bee was 'resting' in a wallflower. I suspect it might not be identifiable from just photographs, but would appreciate narrowing down what it is if possible!



View of head showing mandibles:


Thanks for any help!

[timmypreston]

Sorry can't help with ID but the head on shot is stunning! Excellent detail.

[eucera]

The bee (actually quite a big bee species) is a male leafcutter bee, and the expanded fore-tarsi suggest that this is probably Megachile willughbiella (the other species with fore-tarsi like this in UK are rather restricted in range)

[nutmeg]

Thanks Timmy

Thanks eucera - I suspected a Megachile, but don 't have much confidence at all in my bee ID skills!

[eucera]

You should have some confidence - there are lots of folks who wouldn't be able to get half as close to an id as you did!