Bee/Wasp ID?

[bugboy]

Hi,

Anyone care to have a stab at this little Bee/Wasp? Wanstead Park yesterday

Thanks in advance

[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/

[aeshna5]

Agree it's Nomada sp, but I don't think that species as I can see some red on the first abdominal segment.

[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

I love how everything in nature is connected

[Benjamin]

Excellent! They seem to be a very interesting group! Thanks for posting.

[millerd]

What about this one? There were several on the garlic mustard when I was photographing a cloud-becalmed Orange Tip nearby.

Cheers,

Dave

[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.

[aeshna5]

Halictus rubicundus.

[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