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

Osmia bicornis (=O. rufa) - red mason-bee

An aerial nesting bee, that often nests in holes in walls and timber. Common and widespread in England and Wales, and also across the lowlands of central Scotland. Flies from late March to late May

Key features: Female

Two "horns" on the face - unique to this species in Britain.

Bright orange haired appearance with dark hairs on the clypeus ("face").

Pollen scopa on ventral side (underneath) of… Read more

To celebrate the creation of BWARS' new website, we are launching another round of a survey to monitor the spread and colonisation of Bombus hypnorum (aka tree bumblebee) across Britain and Ireland.

BWARS chairman, Stuart Roberts commented, "Bombus hypnorum was first recorded in Britain in 2001, since when BWARS, along with its partners, has been mapping its spread across the country. Fortunately, Bombus hypnorum is an easily recognised bee, so that many people with an interest in natural history should be able to help us by sending us records of their… Read more

Computerised records should be sent in by email as follow
 

Bees, Wasps and Ant Records for bulk data e.g. spreadsheet, Mapmate or Recorder data.

Clare Boyes: clarebwarsdata[at]gmail.com

Electronic (Digital) vs. Paper Records

Electronic records

BWARS encourages members to submit records electronically. There are two main advantages to the society in receiving electronic records:

1. Electronic records save BWARS enormous amounts of time in entering data onto mapping programmes.
2. It is very easy to track records when… Read more

Index of species mapped by BWARS in Atlases 1-8

Listed below are various resources to help aculeate workers.

Identifying difficult groups

Hedychridium (Chrysididae) Sculpture

Photographs of sculpture on the thorax of the four British species as described in the RES key to Cuckoo Wasps - Chrysididae by Morgan.

Chrysis ignita group - aids to identification

Several species of  Chrysidid wasps in the Chrysis ignita group are very similar in appearance. They can be fiendishly difficult to identify. BWARS president Michael Archer has produced three articles which describe the… Read more