Hairy-legged mining bee?

Rambling Rob · #1 (**permalink**) 31-07-2011, 04:05 PM

Hello,

I haven't seen one of these before and this afternoon saw two individuals from above only - as they were excavating nests - but think it must be the Hairy-legged Mining Bee Dasypoda hirtipes. I'd appreciate the opinion of a more experienced eye.

Thanks, Rob

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 31-07-2011, 05:53 PM

Now that's what I call hairy legs!

I haven't seen one but it does look good to me..

Kleines Artenportrait mit Text und Fotos von Dasypoda hirtipes / Hosenbiene / Melittinae (Sägehornbienenartige) / Hautflügler - Hymenoptera

Janet

Rambling Rob · #3 (**permalink**) 31-07-2011, 06:57 PM

Thanks Janet. The description and habitat at the link you included tie in. Google translated part of the German as 'abdomen dark brown hair with bright napkins' and the pollen-collecting hairs as its 'pants'. A bee with bright napkins and pants! Rob

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 31-07-2011, 07:03 PM

Gotta love those translations!

Matt Smith · #5 (**permalink**) 31-07-2011, 08:14 PM

Yes - this is Dasypoda, current name for the species is Dasypoda altercator.

Rambling Rob · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2011, 04:32 PM

Thanks Matt, the new specific name suggests this bee is disputatious - is that the case? Rob

eucera · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-2011, 09:19 PM

Of course, the name "altercator" is actually an older rather than a newer name!

Our continental colleagues are very reluctant to accept "altercator", but there is little doubt that the name is correct. The usual argument against it is that the name has never been used. This is twaddle as the name has been used consistently in the UK literature.

John Ascher (who has led the ITIS world bee catalogue) accepts "altercator"... and that is good enough for me.

Of course, the bee itself isn't disputatious... but the name is ;-)