When I posted my first photo of ol' green eyes, I had tried to identify him unsuccessfully. Thankfully, @rlaughy stepped up with the info that he is a blue banded bee (Amegilla zonata). They are not native to Cyprus, so he is causing some questions.
Today, I found him on the lavender. Isn't he beautiful!
@brett101, thank you very much! I am fascinated by these little creatures and probably get more excited than I ought when I recognize their distinctive buzz.
amazing focus and detail - what a pretty bee - I was excited when I saw a couple of blue banded bees here last Spring! I wonder where he came from - not a bad thing though as many bees are in decline
@helenhall Thank you! He was quite cooperative yesterday.
@annied, Thank you so much! Last year I had to put a bee waterer out to help prevent bee drownings because I was finding hundreds in the pool each day. This year I only found one or two in the morning and never more than that taking a sip from the overflow. I am definitely excited to see him but also cognizant of the fact that many farmers do make honey from bees here and as these are not hive bees, if they interfere with the bee ecosystem it could cause problems.
@evalieutionspics I hope they do not cause a problem and glad the farmers have honey bee hives - in my garden I get lots of honey bees - a host of our little native bees who are hive bees and now the occasional blue banded - I am looking forward to Spring
@365projectorgjenfurj Thank you very much! I agree, he's like the equivalent of a bee teddy bear.
Thank you very much! @novab
@annied, Thank you so much! Last year I had to put a bee waterer out to help prevent bee drownings because I was finding hundreds in the pool each day. This year I only found one or two in the morning and never more than that taking a sip from the overflow. I am definitely excited to see him but also cognizant of the fact that many farmers do make honey from bees here and as these are not hive bees, if they interfere with the bee ecosystem it could cause problems.