Unknown Group of Bees
Location: Portland Oregon
December 5, 2010 12:08 pm
Hi,
I took this photo about 4 years ago. I found this group of smallish bees on a dandelion. I have no idea what they were doing or why they were there. I found it very curious.
I know we have quite a variety of bees here. I also know they are not honeybees (I’m a beekeeper).
Anyway, they were quite beautiful and if you could help solve the mystery that would be fantastic.
Signature: Damian Magista
Hi Damian,
We believe these are Longhorned Bees in the family Eucerini. BugGuide has a similar image posted that is identified as Melissodes communis. This communal roosting behavior is not uncommon in the family, and the members of the aggregation are males, hence they are called Bachelor Parties.
