Epeolus sp ?

[Rambling Rob]

Hello,

Just spotted this small bee this evening along the cliff path at Sandown - not one I've seen before and I'm having a stab at saying it's an Epeolus sp.

I don't know how many Epeolus spp. there are in Britain but I wonder (if it is one) can it be id'd further than that from these pics?









It's feeding on Ragwort and was fairly lethargic - not surprising as it's been raining most of the day!

Thanks for looking, Rob

[Matt Smith]

There are 2 species, both cleptoparasitic on Colletes sp. The differences are subtle and not easly seen in photos, so Epeolus sp. is probably the best ID.

[eucera]

I can't go beyond Epeolus for this one. Some pics of females allow id to species (need to see a profile view of the last sternite)

[Rambling Rob]

Thanks Matt, Stuart.

Is it a female?

This is the closest I've got to a profile of the tip of the abdomen.



Thanks, Rob

[eucera]

Unfortunately, the apical segments are all concertina-ed in this pic, and so I can't see the bits I need