Workbook

This elongate, non-hairy bee was frequenting the Wahlengbergia west of the house. It would work each flower for an extended time, diving well down the floral tube - no doubt to access the nectar. Images taken 28th Nov, 2018

see page 148, and page 158 (Figure d) … in Houston (2018)

Family Colletidae

This family includes many wasp-like bees … so I figured it as a good candidate to start with. I’m assuming it’s not a wasp because: the wings are not folded, and the antennae are positioned low on the face (ie a long way from the ocelli)

Subfamily Hylaeinae or Euryglossinae

• Two sub-marginal cells, with second being much shorter than first

• hairless, wasp-like, and with yellow or white markings on face and/or thorax

• scopa absent

Subfamily Hylaeinae (NOT Euryglossinae)

• ???? distinguishing features relate to mouthparts - and this is not visible in these images

So now I try photo-matching, and it looks very like Hylaeus (Xenohylaeus) desertoris on page 158 …. so test if it matches the description of:

1. Hylaeus

This is a workbook page … a part of our website where we record the observations and references used in making species identifications. The notes will not necessarily be complete. They are a record for our own use, but we are happy to share this information with others.