Best time to see: mid Mar to late May
Key facts
A solitary bee recognisable by the orange-yellow pollen brushes on the hind legs
Common across much of southern England, including in gardens, flying mainly in spring, often in large numbers
Nests are built in the ground, in sunny banks and cliffs, roadside verges and close-cut lawns
Recognition
Dark, with yellow hairs on the thorax and four bands of yellow hairs on the abdomen
The male lacks a pollen brush and is slimmer and less hairy than the female
- Main photo
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Photo © Tony Gunton