bees for id please

[catbee]

I think the first is Megachile centuncularis.
1.
The following were taken on different days but I am wondering if they are the same species.
2a
2b.
2b.
2c.
2c.

Many thanks

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Cat,

The first, yes - Megachile cf. centuncularis. The rest are Halictids.

Take care,

Jason

[catbee]

Many thanks. Is it possible to narrow it down any further please?

[Jason Green]

Ha! Me being lazy. I'll see it I can do the genus thing later - rather pushed at the moment.

[eucera]

The Halictids are all Lasioglossum and all bar the last one look to be L. calceatum or L. albipes. The last one is in the 4 strong L. morio group of metallic blue-green Lasioglossums

[catbee]

Many thanks.
Could anyone recommend a decent book on bees please? I have a book on bumblebees, but am dependent on a Domino guide to insects for anything else.

[Jason Green]

Try 'Bees of Surrey' and 'Wasps of Surrey'. They won't help you identify such Halictids necessarily, but are a good read on general behaviour, flight-times, etc.

I must get them myself.

[catbee]

Many thanks Jason. The Bees book is out of print but I will try a few sites to see if they have any left.