Bees (Hymenoptera, Apiformes)
An introduction to Australian Native Bees can be found here:
https://www.aussiebee.com.au/beesinyourarea.html
The identification of bees from photographs can be difficult as tiny details on the animals have to be seen. Michael Batley, our moderator for bees has begun a trial identification tool for bees. The test groups are Megachilid bees and Hylaeine bees found in the Sydney basin and Blue Mountains.
If you want to try the identification tools, the addresses for the two groups are below:-
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Discussion
PeterA
wrote:
17 Dec 2025
Not completely sure but it is likely the black thorax variant.
Euryglossa ephippiata
Anna123
wrote:
17 Dec 2025
@PeterA thanks Peter, yes I was looking for the hairspots , but couldn’t get further than genus
Megachile heliophila
PeterA
wrote:
17 Dec 2025
I think....similar to M. ferox but no hair spots on the thorax.
Megachile heliophila
PeterA
wrote:
17 Dec 2025
Based on size and abdominal hair pattern.
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) lanarium
PeterA
wrote:
16 Dec 2025
Yes, well spotted - I had to add it to the possible species list. Not seen on CNM before.
Pachyprosopis (Pachyprosopula) flavicauda
Significant sightings
- Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT
- Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT
- Leioproctus (Andrenopsis) wilsoni at Bruce, ACT
- Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Yarralumla, ACT
- Hylaeus (Euprosopoides) perplexus at Murrumbateman, NSW
- Megachile (Rhodomegachile) deanii at Acton, ACT
- Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT
- Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Theodore, ACT
- Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT
- Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Gundaroo, NSW
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