mid-flight!

I believe this may be a leaf cutter bee.. but I'm not entirely sure about that.

comments (7)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Awesome capture! Closest I could find is this:
https://i0.wp.com/boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1459178_10153596632585503_1858927220_n.jpg?resize=600%2C419&ssl=1 Posted 3 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Lol Ferdy!! But, wait -- I think I see something on its back. Must be this:
  https://methodshop.com/wp-content/uploads/cat-speeder-bikes-400x400.jpg Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
2. morpheme
  
  Lion
  
  doh - I was not expecting that ;p Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Insanely cool shot! I assume the same that it looks leafcutter-ish. But, not totally sure. Posted 3 years ago
1. morpheme
  
  Lion
  
  I have one resting photo too, but it doesn't show the jaw to be 100% certain and I don't even know how to get to species level... I have different (and very similar) one from last year that someone ID'd over at BugGuide as M. Perihirta from an overhead shot, but I honestly have no idea how they came to that conclusion. We have about 40 species of Megachile here. Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I think it's a case for the experts who have seen certain species so many times that they can ID these tricky ones with ease. Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. morpheme
      
      Lion
      
      someone ID'd it as Megachile perihirta again... still not sure how, but I've asked if they will share what they see.. Posted 3 years ago

The Megachile perihirta

''Megachile perihirta'', commonly known as the Western leafcutting bee, is a bee in the genus ''Megachile''. The bee is native to western North America, ranging from Nebraska to Texas and Mexico, west to California, and north to British Columbia and Alberta, and often inhabits meadows and orchards. The bee is black with long whitish-yellow hair, more so below the thorax and abdomen. The abdomen, however, is mostly bare, although each segment has scattered whitish hair. The wings of the Western leafcutting.. more

Info 2 0

Similar species: Wasps, Bees, Sawflies And Ants

Species identified by morpheme