11005-57003 Native bee (Leioproctus fulvescens) CU head of female resting on clay bank. This solitary native species occurs mainly in the drier northwest, east and inland southeast of the South Island, wherever suitable soils for nesting are found. It prefers nectar and pollen from native flowers of the daisy family. Otago Peninsula *
11005-57109 Native colletid bee (Leioproctus paahaumaa) female outside nest burrow. The specific name means 'white-bearded' referring to the dense coating of white hairs about the head. Common and widespread in the North Island *
DSC_1065 Maori masked bee (Hylaeus relegatus) female. These tiny native bees look more like their wasp ancestors. A related species (H.agilis) has been observed prising open the buds of Red mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala), and Yellow mistletoe (Elytranthe flavida) flowers, and pushing down the long tube to collect the pollen. Unlike other bees which carry pollen in baskets on their hairy hind legs, female Hylaeus bees are sparsely haired, and carry pollen internally. Otago Peninsula *
