David Element

Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images

_____________________________________________________ Hymenoptera 21 – Little Yellow-face Bees

LITTLE YELLOW-FACE BEE Hylaeus pictipes (m)

• This miniscule bee is a rarity in the UK - although it is fair to say that it needs to be identified by an expert hymenopterist and may therefore be easily overlooked by observers without specialist knowledge (or magnification aids). Things are not helped by the fact that there are several other very closely related Hylaeus species that share the same habitat and exhibit very similar behaviour! The size may be judged by comparison with the Bramble Rubus sp. flower that the bee has been feeding on by climbing head-down between the anthers in order to reach the nectar. Fortunately this photograph has been scrutinised by several eminent specialists including David Baldock (just in time for inclusion in his book 'Bees of Surrey') and the necessary identification has been confirmed from the black 'saddle' markings on the middle and hind legs. The face appears to be more white than yellow! Females have two much less obvious (and genuinely) yellow markings on their faces.

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