These keys are born out of frustration with the difficulty of identifying bees after some 50 years since I started to be interested in them. Hence I have largely gone back to first principles to devise keys for my own benefit. As a result of requests to see the outcome of my struggles, I am making them available as test keys, meaning I know they are not perfect but they are a football for others to kick about.

Note:

• As test keys, be cautious over making definitive identifications from this source alone.

• Keys to some genera are more polished than others.

• Material for some very rare or extinct species has not been seen so I have extrapolated characters from other works or omitted such species. Channel Islands species are omitted.

• Some species vary between broods and geographically so may differ from the examples examined in preparation of the keys.

• Some large genera are broken down into groups to make them easier to handle. There is nothing more off-putting than a long key where one has lost one’s way or confidence. Much now depends on whether these groupings are certain enough as a working tool (independent of taxonomic affinities).

• The format structure allows space for illustrations that can allow better appreciation of the characters referred to. Any offers?

• I have used jargon words that seem well established in aculeate circles, but that will not be of comfort for those less familiar with such terms. A glossary may be needed as a supplement. One of my own quirks is to use the neat term jaw rather than the ugly word mandible.

The old hands will not need these test keys, though hopefully there are some ideas useful to them. The exercise is to offer something for the non-expert which may be user friendly and which helps clarify the separation of both common and scarce species.

If some of the keys are rubbish and unworkable, please call a spade a spade. If parts have some merit and require tweaking or restructuring, then I shall be pleased to have problems pointed-out, and the more so if ideas for improvement are offered.

Alan Stubbs

alan.stubbs@buglife.org.uk