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Photo#150164
Pepsis ?? - Hemipepsis ustulata - female
Copyright © 2007 Gary McDonald

Pepsis ?? - Hemipepsis ustulata - Female
Aromas, San Benito County, California, USA
October 4, 2007
Size: ~25mm
After the previous specimen left, I walked down our hill in the direction he went and found this guy on a Baccharis pilularis bush, I suspect he is the same specimen, but not positive. This guy stayed on the bush for at least 50 minutes while I photographed it, it was still there when I left. I'm guessing it is Pepsis.

Images of this individual: tag all
Pepsis ?? - Hemipepsis ustulata - female Pepsis ?? - Hemipepsis ustulata - female Pepsis ?? - Hemipepsis ustulata - female Pepsis ?? - Hemipepsis ustulata - female Pepsis ?? - Hemipepsis ustulata - female
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Contributed by Gary McDonald on 4 October, 2007 - 5:13pm
Last updated 6 October, 2007 - 9:24am

Comments

Hemipepsis
identifying Pepsis species still frightens me... but i believe the veins on this one say Hemipepsis... H. ustulata should be the only species in ca, with two subspecies. probably H. u. ochroptera, Townes has ochroptera almost entirely restricted to ca., but it seems there are a number of intermediates. always best to wait for Nick to see these.
… edward trammel, 4 October, 2007 - 11:07pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes...
Most definitely Hemipepsis. Hemipepsis ustulata, to my knowledge, should be the only species found in CA. There could always be unpublished records I don't know about.
… Nick Fensler, 6 October, 2007 - 9:10am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks Nick
I'll move them to the appropriate page.
… Gary McDonald, 6 October, 2007 - 9:22am login or register to post comments

Hemipepsis sp.
I am betting this is Hemipepsis ustulata, but you might want Nick Fensler to confirm. Lack of bluish highlights on the body, and the fact that Hemipepsis is a common fall genus, lead me to that conclusion. This is also a FEmale specimen:-) Note curled tips of antennae, relatively short legs in proportion to body.
… Eric R. Eaton, 4 October, 2007 - 6:24pm login or register to post comments

Good photos like these should help greatly in ID.
Try to get them from the side and bottom too. (I'll bet you did.)
… Ron Hemberger, 4 October, 2007 - 5:50pm login or register to post comments

 
I have more photos
I've added a couple more photos, not great focus, but different angles that might help with ID. Thanks Ron & Eric.
… Gary McDonald, 4 October, 2007 - 6:59pm login or register to post comments

 
Nice adds!
More photos, plus flash helped me get IDs. Shapes and postures can help, even if shots aren't crisp.
… Ron Hemberger, 5 October, 2007 - 12:31am login or register to post comments

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