A bee & a wasp for ID please

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 02:13 PM

Wondered if anyone can help me with ID's for these? Found in small urban nature reserve - unimproved grassland, Corfe Mullen. Thank you. Jane

Possible Andrena dorsata female? This bee was asleep on this leaf when I found it.

Wasp - Not sure what this is I'm afraid (or is it a bee - as I can see fine hairs on abdomen?). This is a new one for me.

tigger · #2 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 05:54 PM

The more I look at the photos of the "wasp" the more its eyes look like those of a "fly" - however, the rest of it (thorax, abdomen) look like a wasp or bee. Confused... Jane

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 06:28 PM

Afternoon Jane,

I had a fair thought on this one earlier, but need to consider it a little longer as I'm rather pushed at the moment.

Take care,

Jason

tigger · #4 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 06:31 PM

Thanks Jason. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this one. Jane

Matt Smith · #5 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 06:51 PM

The bee is probably Andrena dorsata, I'd like to see a more side on view of the hind tibia to be sure.

Second beastie is the Sphecid wasp Dryudella pinguis.

tigger · #6 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 07:05 PM

Thanks Matt. Here is a more side on view of the hind tibia of the bee:

Re the wasp. Now that I've looked at Dryudella pinguis and Astata boops - I'm wondering what the difference is (other than size)? This beastie was about 10mm long.

Cheers. Jane

Matt Smith · #7 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 07:22 PM

The bee has a nice broad hind tibia at the base which suggests it is A.dorsata.

I got the impression that your wasp was was small, hence I went for Dryudella. Just checked a couple of keys, separation of Astata and Dryudella is mostly done on surface sculpture of the thorax and pygidium. Dryudella is the smaller species (6-8 mm), Astata bigger (9-13 mm).

tigger · #8 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 07:28 PM

Thanks Matt for the A dorsata ID.

I should have put a size on there to start with for the wasp. Sorry.

I've also just read that the face of the male Dryudella has white markings - see Heathland solitary wasps which mine doesn't seem to have, if this is correct then I'm starting to think it could be A. boops.

Cheers. Jane

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 08:13 PM

Agree with the det., the white facial marking is situated around the median ocellus - visible here as the tiny whitish smudge above the antennal insertions.

tigger · #10 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 08:30 PM

Sorry - just to confirm then Jason - you think it IS Dryudella pinguis? Blowed if I can see a whitish smudge but then I do need new glasses...

Cheers. Jane