Leioproctus sp. (genus)

2 Plaster bee at Holder Wetlands

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Identification history

	Leioproctus sp. (genus)	10 Dec 2023	michael.batley
	Leioproctus sp. (genus)	10 Dec 2023	Miranda

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User's notes

Tried to get the end of the abdomen this time. Bee about 1cm.

4 comments

michael.batley wrote:

10 Dec 2023

Yes you have, but we still can't see the plate. Even the images in PaDIL don't show it. Females of the two species amabilis and clarki are hard to separate, except that the colours purple or red have been reported only for amabilis.

PeterA wrote:

11 Dec 2023

I've been looking at the ANIC specimens recently trying to separate these species. The L. amabilis female specimens have a metallic green or golden abdomen and quite a lot have a purple abdomen. The L. clarki specimens all have a metallic green abdomen. I didn't see any other colours, but this is probably still a small sample.
The L. amabilis I have seen all have a golden thorax, possibly brighter than L. clarki...?
Miranda, perhaps if you catch a specimen, I could look at it under a microscope?
Peter

Miranda wrote:

12 Dec 2023

Thanks @PeterA, I can certainly try. Would be interesting to have an answer. I've seen these bees several times at the wetlands recently and all have had a greeny-bronze abdomen. If I do catch one what should I do with her, put in the freezer?

PeterA wrote:

13 Dec 2023

A freezer for a while will work or a drop of ethyl acetate (nail polisher remover) in a jar.

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