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 and 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:
- Electronic records save BWARS enormous amounts of time in entering data onto mapping programmes.
- 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
The Hymenoptera Aculeata of the British Islands - Edward Saunders (1896)
A descriptive account of the families, genera, and species indigenous to Great Britain and Ireland, with notes as to habits, localities, habitats - Edward Saunders.
Published in 1896, this book is of considerable historical interest. The downloadable pdf of this rare book still contains much of interest, as well as a splendid series of hand-coloured plates depicting many species of ants, bees and wasps.
Saunders… Read more
Sheringham Park, Norfolk (National Trust).
Saturday 23rd June 10.30am – 4.00pm.
This workshop will cover the identification of bumblebees based on field work, photographs and inspection of live specimens. The day will also provide guidance about the conservation of bumblebees and how to encourage them in your garden.
Cost £20. To book please ring the National Trust on 01263 820550.
Tutors Nick Owens and Rob Coleman.