Since I have started to notice the bees in the garden I am finding more and more. Of course they were always there without being recognised but I am gradually improving my ID skills. This is a new bee this week - it is small, male, probably a Colletes and possibly Colletes daviesanus.
But then again I could be completely wrong. It is nice to see whatever it is.
Yes, this is a Colletes species male; they are very difficult to get to species level without taking a specimen and looking under a microscope!
ReplyDeleteAlso look out for the much smaller, almost all-black Hylaeus bees that have just appeared in my garden and love Astilbe too; also called yellow-faced bees (because the males in particular have pale yellow or white face patterns).
Oops, I meant Astrantia of course!
DeleteThanks Louise. This was the only one I saw so I didn't feel like putting him under a microscope. I'll keep a look out for the Hylaeus bees.
DeleteIt's a lovely delicately coloured bee.
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