I've tried to find its ID on the web and in my books but to no avail.
During the past sunny days (sadly they became dull again) my Hellebores had the visit of this rather small handsome bumblebee, lonesome as there was only one and the very first bee in my garden. It looks very young as the hairs on its coat were glistening in the sun and the wings looked sparkling new.
Here it is sunning on an ivy leaf;
From another angle;
Here it looks so baby-like..
The wings look so new..
its face..
a couple of days before that I found it on a Muscari flower..
I'm sure it's a solitary bee bonitin, I have a Tawny Mining Bee in BugFiles but the hair colour on the thorax is much brighter. I don't think there is another with such a bright abdomen colour, but it's a while since I have looked at them. This one flies early but usually from April, this warm weather could have brought it out early.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/4728/
I think it's a Red Mason Bee
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/3962/
I think it is the Red Mason Bee! Also because the body shape in your picture is exactly like mine!
The only difference is that the colour on mine is a more deep reddish orange, but perhaps that's because it is younger and hasn't faded yet by the summer sun?
Thank you so much, Wallaby!
Yes, mine will hve faded a little. I only saw it briefly once and was lucky to get that shot, it was tiny and so cute, as you say like a baby! I had soooo many pics of different solitary bees, but lost them ;~((
I feel so sore about you loss!!! That must be horrible!
But then I'm sure you will make plenty of new magnificent picts. the coming season with your new camera...
Thanks, I can look forward to taking new ones but I sometimes wonder if I will ever get as many different ones, surely I must? I have never noticed so many before, I do wonder if the hot year of 2006 helped the populations of 2007. As this winter has not been too cold that should help the survival of many.
I do hope so too!
Bonitin,
this is a male Osmia cornuta; very common in Belgium, especially close to civilization. The center of Ghent will be overwhelmed in the next few weeks (if the weather gets better).
But I think it's not occurring in the UK? Or very rare. that's way it's not recognized...
Hi Driesl, welcome ! Nice to meet another 'Gentenaar' over here! Thanks for the correction!
I've just read your comment on the Flemish Nature Forum too. There you say that Osmia rufa usually has a later start off in the year and that its hair is more brownish.
Is the white hair on its head the key for it being a male?
Another Osmia cornuta, I guess, from today. I saw one that was much bigger (2x) with the same vibrant red hairs on the abdomen, unfortunately didn't manage to take its pict.
