a bee on the scillies

[michael23]

hi there i photographed this bee on the isles of scilly in october, i was wondering if anyone could put a name to it, as i dont know where to begin but im very interested. many thanks michael.

[Colin Key]

Hello Michael,

This is a Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva).

Regards,

Colin

[RoyW]

This is a Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva).


Hi Michael/Colin,

I'm not really up on bee identification but based on the information I have, I think that this is a 'bumblebee' and would suggest Bombus muscorum or Large Carder Bee. (The most similar common species Bombus pascuorum or Common Carder Bee is apparently absent from the Scillies).

Try this online key, although this assumes that it is a bumblebee - what are your reasons for thinking otherwise Colin?;
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/insects-spiders/identification-guides-and-keys/bumblebees/index.html

Regards,

Roy.

[Colin Key]

I would not argue with you over this Roy - some of these big "bumblies" can be very confusing!

Colin