Unmasked - _TNY_0015
The yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus), also known as masked bees, are called this becqause they have species-specific yellow markings on the face. Or at least the males do. This one on a thistle in Åva-Stensjödal in Tyresta National Park, Sweden, is a female and they have much smaller markings and it isn't possible to identify which exact species this is so we end at Hylaeus sp.
In Sweden, Hylaeus are known as citronbin - lemon bees - because they apparently can emit a lemon scent.
Hylaeus are also quite primitive bees and instead of carrying pollen on their legs or under their abdomen, these guys (or girls, I suppose) carry it internally in thier crop.
Unmasked - _TNY_0015
The yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus), also known as masked bees, are called this becqause they have species-specific yellow markings on the face. Or at least the males do. This one on a thistle in Åva-Stensjödal in Tyresta National Park, Sweden, is a female and they have much smaller markings and it isn't possible to identify which exact species this is so we end at Hylaeus sp.
In Sweden, Hylaeus are known as citronbin - lemon bees - because they apparently can emit a lemon scent.
Hylaeus are also quite primitive bees and instead of carrying pollen on their legs or under their abdomen, these guys (or girls, I suppose) carry it internally in thier crop.