Dolichovespula media - median wasp

The second largest British social wasp species. D. media was first recorded in 1980 in Sussex, since when it has spread over all of England and Wales, and much of southern Scotland. It has a short life cycle, with nests finishing in August.

Nests are aerial and generally exposed, usually hanging from trees or bushes.

Key features

• The workers generally resemble other yellow and black social wasps
• almost… Read more

Hawkins R., Lasioglossum sexstrigatum - New to Britain

Chelostoma campanularum - harebell carpenter-bee

A tiny black bee associated with the flowers of various bellflowers (Campanula species). Common and widespread in much of England, but absent from Wales, Scotland and Ireland. It is commonly found in town and village gardens, and nests in old beetle holes or the exposed ends of thatch. Flies from June to early August

Key features: Female

• A narrow, all black species
• Most easily seen inside the flowers of… Read more

Andrena cineraria - ashy mining-bee

A very distinctively marked ground-nesting bee that often nests in large aggregations in lawns and short turf. Common and widespread across most of Britain and Ireland, and apparently increasing in both range and abundance. The bee flies from late March to mid-June

Key features: Female

• The female is one of our most distinctive spring-flying mining bees
• Abdomen dark bluish-black colour
• Broad ashy-white hair bands across… Read more

Anthidium manicatum - Wool-carder bee

A large and robust summer flying bee that is highly territorial in behaviour. The aggressive males often patrol and defend favoured patches of flowers with considerable vigour. Widespread across England and Wales, and extending into south western Scotland. Common in town and city gardens. Its common name derives from its habit of collecting the hairs of the leaves of various downy plants to use in making brood cells. It flies in from… Read more

Mellinus arvensis - field digger-wasp

One of the commonest and most widespread solitary wasp species in Britain and Ireland. The wasp flies late in the year, and is active from late July to October in sandy places (such as heaths, dunes, waste places and even gardens). The wasp hunts for a range of large flies for stocking the larval brood cells.

Key features

• Long and thin species, boldly marked with black and yellow
• Thorax with yellow strip across front and a yellow spot at the rear
• Two bold yellow bars across middle of abdomen
• Flies in… Read more

Anthophora plumipes

hairy-footed flower bee

A large, bumblebee sized species, that often nests in the soft mortar and exposed cob of old walls. Occasionally it will nest in the ground, preferring bare compacted clay soils. Common and widespread in much of England and Wales, especially in towns, cities and villages. Flies from late February to mid-June, and is extremely fond of visiting Lungwort (Pulmonaria) flowers.

Key features: Female

• Resembles a small, black bumblebee with orange-red hairs on the hind leg
• Look for the swift-darting… Read more

Andrena fulva - tawny mining-bee

A ground-nesting bee, that often nests in lawns and short turf. Common and widespread in England and Wales. In recent years it has been recorded in Scotland for the first time. It is very restricted in Ireland, but almost certainly under-recorded. Flies from late March to mid June.

Key features: Female

The female of Andrena fulva is clothed dorsally (top-side) with long, dense, bright reddish hairs. These contrast strongly with… Read more

Major Institutions and Authorities (Europe)

Atlas Hymenoptera The website of University Mons (Belgium).                   

Chrysis.net. The best site for those with an interest in Chrysididae              

Faszination Wildbienen. The website of Paul Westrich… Read more