I'm wondering if this is an orchard mason bee species. Females have fuzzy "foreheads", and they all have the fuzzy underbelly. (Sorry I'm not an entomologist per se, just a humble naturalist educator who avoids technological terms.) Blue Orchard Bees (I call them BOB's) have blonde bangs, but this may be a male. They are not as fuzzy.
Nop, is not Xylocopa or even in that family. Please notice the metasomal scopae (hair brush in the abdomen). That's characteristic of Megachilidae family
12 Comments
Thanks .Interesting!
Yes that looks very good. http://bugguide.net/node/view/359090
I think this is Megachile xylocopoides
I think it is the Blue Orchard Bee. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmia_ligna...
I'm wondering if this is an orchard mason bee species. Females have fuzzy "foreheads", and they all have the fuzzy underbelly. (Sorry I'm not an entomologist per se, just a humble naturalist educator who avoids technological terms.) Blue Orchard Bees (I call them BOB's) have blonde bangs, but this may be a male. They are not as fuzzy.
Great job Machi ! I love it when spottings generate discussion - I've learnt something new again.
Yes that's a tough one after Juan's expert comments. I also notice not many Megachilidae have strongly tinted wings. Thanks Juan. Hope we find it.
I have tried narrowing it down after your comment, but I haven't been able to find an ID with bugguide.
Nop, is not Xylocopa or even in that family. Please notice the metasomal scopae (hair brush in the abdomen). That's characteristic of Megachilidae family
If it is only in Eurasia, then it can't be that species. Anyways, the body shape looks a bit different
Nice series!
I think,this is Xylocopa violacea (http://eol.org/pages/2760163/overview),
but it is only in Eurasia..
This is a Leaf-cutter bee (Megachilidae)