Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus at Acton, ACT

Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus

2 Metallic Green Carpenter Bee at Acton, ACT

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Identification history

	Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus	20 Nov 2021	michael.batley
	Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus	20 Nov 2021	TimL

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User's notes

This sighting and following sighting 4408940 are a poor-quality sequence of images taken from a distance in windy conditions, showing the mating ritual of a pair of Metallic Green Carpenter Bees. The first image shows the female leading the male in a slow up and down zig-zag flight around the bushes. After several circuits the female landed on a flower and took up the mating position seen in the second image. In the third and fourth images the male hovered behind the female, gradually moving closer to her. In the final image the male had moved close to the female and mating occurred very briefly just after the image was taken. See following sighting 4408940 for additional images of the sequence. Thanks to Marcus Leach for help with the sighting.