Wild Bees (Chelostomoides, Megachile, Anthophila, Hymenoptera) on White Sage - nectar and pollen
Here are two shots of the same kind of Wild Bee (Anthophila, Hymenoptera) on native White Sage (Salvia apiana) in the Lamiaceae plant family. The one on the left is digging into the flower for nectar, while the one on the right is collecting pollen on her abdomen. They seem to do both, sometimes one following the other. I believe these bees are genus Megachile (possibly subgenus Chelostomoides) in the family Megachilidae of Leaf-cutter Bees. This particular bee has quite large mandibles. (San Marcos Pass, 17 June 2015)
Wild Bees (Chelostomoides, Megachile, Anthophila, Hymenoptera) on White Sage - nectar and pollen
Here are two shots of the same kind of Wild Bee (Anthophila, Hymenoptera) on native White Sage (Salvia apiana) in the Lamiaceae plant family. The one on the left is digging into the flower for nectar, while the one on the right is collecting pollen on her abdomen. They seem to do both, sometimes one following the other. I believe these bees are genus Megachile (possibly subgenus Chelostomoides) in the family Megachilidae of Leaf-cutter Bees. This particular bee has quite large mandibles. (San Marcos Pass, 17 June 2015)