Mining Bee

Out and about in Khon Kaen back in December 2014, I came across a nicely coloured bee. It could be a Mining Bee, but I am not entirely sure. Any ideas?

 

 

A cute bee

Though I have no idea what this species is, I could not resist taking a photo of this cute, little bee as it settled down for the night. I saw it amongst the long grasses during a dragonfly hunting trip in Khon Kaen, back in 2012.

 

Spider Wasp (Family Pompilidae)

Here is a very scary thing I saw in Chiang Mai, back in 2010. It was early in the morning, a beautiful shimmering blue and black butterfly fell slowly to the ground in the breeze. I drew my camera, ready to shoot. Then, a tiny bootlace snake literally leapt from a tree to attack it and missed. This was followed by a large spider rushing ouy of its hiding place close by to attack the butterfly or the snake (I was getting confused). Then, amazingly, the butterfly attacked the spider and the spider went limp instantly. Of course, I realised that it wasn't a butterfly after all, but a cunning and scary wasp. It eventually dragged the large spider away to its lair ... or wherever it was. It only lasted about 30 seconds in total, but a memory I will never forget. It has been IDd as a Spider Wasp (family Pompilidae), by Joe Hartman, who said that these wasps remove the spider's legs so that they cannot move anymore, before eating the spider. Nice! Cheers, Joe.

 

Now dragging its prey away, probably to host its young whilst still alive. Gruesome.

Cuckoo Wasp (family Chrysididae)

It's a tiny, sparkling green wasp found in Khon Kaen, 13.xii.14. It has been IDd by Joe Hartman as a Cuckoo Wasp of the family Chrysididae (Gold wasps/Emerald wasps). According to Joe, they lay their eggs in nests of unrelated species. Probably where they get their vernacular name.

 

Many, many thanks, Joe, for the ID!

(Pssst ... I thought this was a bee hehe)