Can anyone identify this insect ?

Discussion in 'Celebrate Biodiversity' started by rumpuss, Sep 4, 2011.

  1. rumpuss

    rumpuss Active Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Lombardy, Italy
    Hello,
    I live at the north end of Lake Como in Italy. Every day I have this visitor on my balcony - it is solitary and usually arrives during the afternoon.
    He/she is a chubby insect.
    Would appreciate identification
     

    Attached Files:

  2. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Looks like what we'd call a Carpenter Bee down here. Compare - Bugguide.net has a lot of great shots of the different species. They're beneficial pollinators, don't sting, and are generally peaceful garden visitors.
     
  3. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,417
    Likes Received:
    364
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    Agree with lorax about bugguide---it is a site for US/Canadian insects, but I am certain that a near relative of the apian visitor could be found there.
    (Perhaps there exists a European bugguide...?)

    What is the flowering plant to which the bee has been attracted?

    I enjoyed this story. Charming!
     
  4. rumpuss

    rumpuss Active Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Lombardy, Italy
    Thanks for the identification....I have become quite attached to my visitor and am so pleased it has been identified......welcome Mrs. Carpenter.....I wonder where Mr & Mrs Carpenter are making their nest....perhaps in our wooden roof eaves !!!

    As for the plant - actually I don´t know what it is - someone gave it to us and they didn´t know the name.....so now I need plant identification.

    kind regards and again thanks for your help.

    Anita
     
  5. rumpuss

    rumpuss Active Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Lombardy, Italy
    I know this is very belated but the plant was identified as Polygala Myritifolia. However, sadly no more as, despite 'mothballing' the plants for winter, the minus 10 temperature wasn't to their liking.
     

Share This Page