Photo 311686473, (c) Martin R. Lucas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Martin R. Lucas

Attribution © Martin R. Lucas
some rights reserved
Uploaded by martinlucas martinlucas
Source iNaturalist
Associated observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Texas Mason Bee (Osmia texana)

Observer

martinlucas

Date

August 18, 2023 04:23 PM CDT

Description

A large and robust blue-green bee, and a first for me - on Cirsium discolor in a sandy field in CRP CP42, near the Erie Trail. Photos depict a single bee. Initially I ID it as O. chalybea, but O. Texana is similar and known from Indiana. [update] 'Linc Beestein' on FB referred me to Discoverlife traits for distinguishing O. chalabea and O. Texana, and I added two images that I think support his suggestion that it's more likely texana (smaller ocelli, denser punctations on central line of scutum, for starters). Still not sure though.

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