A female Willughby’s Leaf-cutter Bee (Megachile willughbiella) foeraging for nectar on Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).
During a short period one or two females were intensively foraging on the plant, whilst being watched and, clearly annoyed, chased by a male.
During foraging she will pull up her abdomen remarkably high, almost to an angle of 90°.
The males were basking in the sun on the Purple loosestrife or other high plants next to it while on the lookout for females. Occasionally they would stop to drink from the plant as well.
