Holding the Fort, pt 2 - _TNY_9641
This tough guy is a male sharp-tailed bee (Coelioxys sp.). He was holding his ground on this thistle against both this early bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and a common red soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) and came out on top both times.
The name sharp-tailed bees stems from the females having an elongated abdomen which is somewhat conical and pointy. They are also called leaf-cutting cuckoo bees as they are kleptoparasites on leaf-cutter bees (Megachile, Osmia & Anthophora).
Personally, I just love the complex compound eyes on these guys – another shot showing the eyes better can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/48359054876/
Holding the Fort, pt 2 - _TNY_9641
This tough guy is a male sharp-tailed bee (Coelioxys sp.). He was holding his ground on this thistle against both this early bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and a common red soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) and came out on top both times.
The name sharp-tailed bees stems from the females having an elongated abdomen which is somewhat conical and pointy. They are also called leaf-cutting cuckoo bees as they are kleptoparasites on leaf-cutter bees (Megachile, Osmia & Anthophora).
Personally, I just love the complex compound eyes on these guys – another shot showing the eyes better can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/48359054876/