Bee
African Carder Bee (Pseudoanthidium repetitum)
Spotted today. I am waiting for the correct ID for this bee.
Now identified - I have included below the ID information I have just received.
This is a recently introduced exotic African carder bee, Pseudoanthidium repetitum. It differs from the native Megachile bees in that the white bands across the abdomen are coloured cuticle rather than coloured hair as found in native bees. The common name carder comes from the way females construct a brood cell. Some native Megachile bees use cut leaves to build a cell while others gather plant resin. This bee scrapes or carders plant fibres from the leaves of a few plant families and makes a cotton wool like brood cell. First found in Australia in 2000 in Brisbane and was recorded in Perth in 2020. These bees often nest in human made boxes (especially fuse boxes) so get transported easily by us. An interesting bee to have in your garden.
Bee
African Carder Bee (Pseudoanthidium repetitum)
Spotted today. I am waiting for the correct ID for this bee.
Now identified - I have included below the ID information I have just received.
This is a recently introduced exotic African carder bee, Pseudoanthidium repetitum. It differs from the native Megachile bees in that the white bands across the abdomen are coloured cuticle rather than coloured hair as found in native bees. The common name carder comes from the way females construct a brood cell. Some native Megachile bees use cut leaves to build a cell while others gather plant resin. This bee scrapes or carders plant fibres from the leaves of a few plant families and makes a cotton wool like brood cell. First found in Australia in 2000 in Brisbane and was recorded in Perth in 2020. These bees often nest in human made boxes (especially fuse boxes) so get transported easily by us. An interesting bee to have in your garden.