Interesting bee - Megachile lanata

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Apoidea (clade Anthophila) - Bees » Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies (Megachilidae) » Leafcutter, Resin, Mortar, Sharptail, Mason, and Woolcarder bees and relatives (Megachilinae) » Leafcutter, Resin, Mortar, and Sharptail bees (Megachilini) » Leafcutter and Resin Bees (Megachile) » Subgenus Pseudomegachile (Megachile Subgenus Pseudomegachile) » Woolly Wall Bee (Megachile lanata)

Photo#42319

Copyright © 2006 Sean McCann

Interesting bee - Megachile lanata -

Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Florida, USA
February 6, 2006
Size: 1.2cm

I should note that these bees are not sedate like a honeybee; rather they zip around at great speed, clutching onto flowers with great force. It seems from these shots that the bee is grabbing the flower with it's mandibles while the tongue probes deep inside.
Something about this bee reminds me of a Megachilid, but I can't quite put my finger on it, and none of the Bugguide images seems to match.

Images of this individual: tag all

Interesting bee - Megachile lanata - male

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Contributed by Sean McCann on 7 February, 2006 - 1:02pm
Last updated 24 September, 2006 - 7:29am

Moved

Moved from Megachile.

… Sean McCann, 24 September, 2006 - 7:29am

Moved

Moved from Megachile.

… Sean McCann, 24 September, 2006 - 7:28am

Megachile (Pseudomegachile) lanata

an exotic bee native to the Old World (e.g., India) and introduced to Florida, the West Indies, and the Guianas

… John S. Ascher, 23 September, 2006 - 11:11pm

Thanks!

I was thinking someone could ID this unique-looking Megachile!

… Sean McCann, 24 September, 2006 - 7:27am

Mega

Superb shot.
(Damn Floridians with bugs all year.)

… Herschel Raney, 8 February, 2006 - 3:54pm

Male Megachile sp.

Nice images of a male Megachile species. The blunt, turned-down tip of the abdomen is pretty distinctive for male megachilids in general, but it just takes experience to easily recognize them. Outstanding pollination example, too!

… Eric R. Eaton, 7 February, 2006 - 1:21pm

...

Thanks Eric! I wonder what species this is? It is so striking. I suppose that Florida has 72 species, so if I really want an ID I should pin one.
-Sean McCann
You can see some more of my photos at triatoma.blogspot.com

… Sean McCann, 7 February, 2006 - 1:24pm

You're welcome!

Your blogspot is definitely worth the visit. I like seeing your images of herps and birds as well as insects and arachnids.

… Eric R. Eaton, 7 February, 2006 - 2:52pm

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