Solitary bee asleep in flower for ID

[tigger]

I found this little bee asleep in one of my geranium flowers in the garden today. It was approx 10-12mm long. I don't recognise it... I feel like I should but I just don't! Is it an Andrena sp?

It's VERY shaggy long pale hairs around the thorax (and on face), and there are also pale hairs on the side of the abdomen (nr the bottom). There seems to be slightly brown/black striping to the abdomen as well - which is mainly dark in colour. Tibia seem to be mainly dark - with the tarsus being lighter brown.

If anyone can help me with this I'd be really grateful. Cheers! Jane

[tigger]

Anyone with any ideas on an identification? Cheers. Jane

[Jackaroo]

Originally Posted by tigger

Anyone with any ideas on an identification? Cheers. Jane

Just to let you know someone's out there. Unfortunately I know nowt about bees. Thought someone would've jumped in by now. Patience

[tigger]

Ahhh, thanks Jackaroo! Jane

[Jackaroo]

Originally Posted by tigger

Ahhh, thanks Jackaroo! Jane

It's cute !!! Wish I did know.

[tigger]

That's what I thought! However, I've been all the way through my "bee book" and useful "bee sites" and can't see anything that really fits.

Cheers. Jane

[Jackaroo]

Originally Posted by tigger

That's what I thought! However, I've been all the way through my "bee book" and useful "bee sites" and can't see anything that really fits.

Cheers. Jane

I don't have one either but I do have a bee in a flower.



You showed me your's now I'll show you mine. lol.

[Matt Smith]

I think the first one is probably a male Melitta sp., the males look very "Andrena like" but the location and the "jiz" says Melitta.

Bumbebee is Bombus hortorum.

[tigger]

Thanks Matt. Possible ID from Stuart Roberts and iSpot is Melitta haemorrhoidalis male - so I think you are probably right. On one of the photos there is a hint of a red tail.

Cheers. Jane