Ident on some kind of bee

Cindi · October 11, 2007, 01:15:36 PM

I have seen this (I think it is some kind of bee) in great numbers this year. It is about the size of a honeybee, but just so totally different markings. Has anyone seen one similar, do you know what it may be? Best of this beautiful and wonderful day. Cindi

dpence · October 11, 2007, 05:07:13 PM

Could be a version of a hover fly? Not sure.

David

Scadsobees · October 11, 2007, 05:26:40 PM

Syrphid fly

http://www.eduwebs.org/bugs/syrphid_flies.htm

Cindi · October 12, 2007, 11:12:53 AM

I think it is some species of Syrphid Fly. I have no clue how many species we have, but I took a picture of one last spring and the markings are slightly different than the one that I posted. Probably are a few species here. This picture that I firstly posted was a very large one compared to the picture that I will be posting below, probably 1/2 again as big, it was probably the size of a drone, big. But yes, Syrphid Fly surely. Have a wonderful and great day, we be lovin' this life we live. Cindi

Understudy · October 12, 2007, 06:29:34 PM

Sorry everyone.

It is a type of leafcutter bee.
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/leafcutting_bees_megachilidae

Sincerely,
Brendhan

doak · October 12, 2007, 08:09:40 PM

That looks kinda like a Vespid wasp. My spell check saying no to vespid.
But that is the Google spelling
doak

MrILoveTheAnts · October 12, 2007, 08:16:10 PM

Right Cindi, not a wasp but a Syrphid fly. Also called a Hover fly, their larva are parasites of aphids. I think they're beneficial to a garden.

doak · October 12, 2007, 08:35:39 PM

Nice try doak, oh well, win some, loose some.
doak :roll: :)

Cindi · October 13, 2007, 01:42:41 AM

Syrphid flies are absolutely beneficial to the gardens, predators and great pollinators.

Brendan, I think that you are right. But I think the particular species of the Leaf Cutter bee that this is, is the Wool Carder Bee. There has been some talk in other posts about this Wool Carder Bee. I did a little research on it and it seems that they are extremely territorial. I am going on the search tomorrow (we had sun today and it is supposed to be sunny tomorrow) for this Bee. I want to get a better picture so I can ident it better. But without a doubt, this one is not a Syrphid fly (Hover Fly), Leaf Cutter species 100%. The picture that I showed of the insect on the Honeysuckle flower is definitely a Syrphid though. Have a wonderful and beautiful day, the best of health wishes to us all. Cindi