Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Bees or bumblebees?
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 12-02-2008 01:11
#1
I'm having trouble in the identification of black bees (or bumblebees?) which I thought were all ''Xylocopa violacea''. However, someone assured me they were not. Here they are, together with my best guess:
#1 - Xylocopa violacea ?
#2 - Anthophora plumipes ?
#3 - Bombus sp.?
Thank you,
Joaquim Gaspar
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 12-02-2008 01:11
#2
2nd photo: Anthophora plumipes?
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 12-02-2008 01:12
#3
... and last one: Bombus sp. (but which one) ?
Posted by pierred on 12-02-2008 08:14
#4
Hello,
For me, the two last ones are
X. violacea male (see the reddish tip of the antennas). For the first one, it is more difficult, since one doesn't see the antennas.
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 12-02-2008 12:44
#5
Xylocopa sp. at least. We have more Xylocopa Pierre. :) I don?t know if there are other Xylocopa with that red tip, though.
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 12-02-2008 14:41
#6
Are you sure, Jorge? I read that Xylocopa don't have the hairy abdomens of pics 2 and 3. Also, the eyes reaching the jaws and the rust-coloured pollen brushes in the hind legs (pic 2) are typical of
Anthophora plumipes
Posted by Susan R Walter on 12-02-2008 16:00
#7
The middle one is definitely not Anthophora plumipes. They do not have darkened wings and are just a different shape altogether.
Posted by Christian Schmid-Egger on 12-02-2008 18:27
#8
Okay, so I will add a forth opinion. The results in brief (and therefore I can confirme Pierre and Susan):
All specimens are Xylocopa. Specimen in the middle and below is a male of X. violacea, above I cannot regonize sex or species. Males of X. violacea are unique in Europe by having second last flagellomeres read. Gaster is covered with small black setae (hairs), which in a special light may appear like a dense coat. Eyes does not reach mandible, there is a small space inbetween. Yellow pollen in legs is typical for all bees visting flowers with yellow pollen (there are no typical pollen storing brushes on photos).
Most common Xylocopa species in Europe are violacea, valga and iris, in Spain and Portugal are some more, very rare species, I have to look in a list for species names.
Anthophora never has such black wings with violet lustre, but some Andrena and other genera have. Also, there is no all black Bombus in
Europe, but 2-3 Anthophora species. But, they look different. See www.galerie.hymis.de, Anthophora retusa and black form of plumipes.
Did I forgot anything?
Regards. Christian
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 12-02-2008 23:23
#9
No, Christian, you did not forget anything. Thank you very much to all of you :D