Best time to see: mid Jun to mid Aug
Key facts
A tiny solitary bee that feeds mainly on bellflowers – campanulas – and also mates there
Small enough to nest in beetle or woodworm holes in wood; also nests in plant stems
Widespread and fairly common in the southern half of England
Recognition
A slender black bee, 6–7mm long; the sexes are similar
The female has a pollen brush under the abdomen, usually charged with white pollen from campanulas
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© Tony Gunton