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Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 9:52 pm
by bugboy
Hi,

Anyone care to have a stab at this little Bee/Wasp? Wanstead Park yesterday
IMG_0017.JPG
Thanks in advance

Re: Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 11:01 pm
by Benjamin
Hi Paul

Nomada goodeniana?

Not something I know much about but it looks to be there or thereabouts.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/63075200@ ... 574350736/

Re: Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2024 6:15 am
by aeshna5
Agree it's Nomada sp, but I don't think that species as I can see some red on the first abdominal segment.

Re: Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:31 am
by bugboy
Thanks for that guys, the nudge to the genus was a great help. Since that genus of Bees are cuckoo bees on solitary mining bees, the presence of numerous Ashy Mining Bees Andrena cineraria lead me to Lathbury's Nomad Bee, Nomada lathburiana :)
Ashy Mining Bee
Ashy Mining Bee
I love how everything in nature is connected :)

Re: Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:51 am
by Benjamin
Excellent! They seem to be a very interesting group! Thanks for posting.

Re: Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:58 pm
by millerd
What about this one? There were several on the garlic mustard when I was photographing a cloud-becalmed Orange Tip nearby.
bee.JPG
Cheers,

Dave

Re: Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:27 pm
by bugboy
Colletes sp. maybe? Hymenoptera aren't a strong point for me but it does remind me of the Ivy Bees we see in the autumn.

Re: Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2024 5:39 am
by aeshna5
Halictus rubicundus.

Re: Bee/Wasp ID?

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2024 4:08 pm
by millerd
Thank you, aeshna5. For such a small insect it has quite a large Wikipedia entry! A worldwide bee, apparently, featuring in studies about how species may be colonial or solitary - or in this case, both. Fascinating.

Cheers,

Dave