Leaf-cutter? Andrenid? Megachile? - Andrena

Here, seeing the jaws helps recognize that this is not a Megachile. Leafcutters have very heavy, dentate jaws for snipping leaves. This specimen does not have that. Plus, as viewed in the other image, this bee has the scopa (pollen-collecting hairs) on the legs, not the underside of the abdomen as is the case with leafcutter bees. Great portrait here shows the bands of pale hairs on the inside margin of the eyes, another subtle (and sometimes unreliable) character of andrenids.

… Eric R. Eaton, 24 May, 2005 - 1:39pm

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