A Nomada species with a tricoloured gaster and reddish hair on the thorax (more evident in the female) in Britain and Ireland is likely to be this species. Identification keys and general biology are given in Perkins (1919), Gauld and Bolton (1988), Michener (2000) and Else (in prep.).

A small, shining black bee with narrow apical bands of white hairs on the abdominal tergites. Identification characters are in Perkins (1919).

This small Nomada was only recognised as British in 1944 (Spooner 1946) but had been found much earlier, in 1878, by C.W. Dale, although he failed to recognise the species. It is one of our most localised bee species, but has not been seen since 1982, despite several recent searches.

Keys and general biology are found in Sladen (1912), Free & Butler (1959), Alford (1975) and Prŷs-Jones & Corbet (1991). This species is very closely related to Bombus muscorum but is more southerly in its distribution. B. humilis has undergone a major decline in its distribution, with most remaining populations being on extensive, although sometimes narrow, areas of coastal grasslands. This decline seems to be closely linked to the intensification of farming.

A small, rather unobtrusive bee, the female largely black, the male with the clypeus and lower paraocular areas mainly yellow.

Keys and general biology are found in Sladen (1912), Free & Butler (1959), Alford (1975) and Prŷs-Jones & Corbet (1991). This species is very closely related to the more northerly distributed B. distinguendus and males of the two species can be extremely hard to separate. In Scandinavia it is strongly associated with red clover (Løken 1973). Sladen (1912) also comments upon its close association with this plant.

One of the larger halictine bees of the British Isles, the male has a distinctive blood-red tip to the abdomen. Identification keys and general information are given in Perkins, R C L (1922).