Bees – Nature Journeys

At The Bee Hotel

Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee (Megachile ligniseca) – I adapted an old bird box into a bee hotel about a year ago, and I am quite pleased we are now taking in guests. And I am very pleased to see this species, which is fairly uncommon, with only 2 sightings recorded in South Staffordshire. It typically nests in dead wood, including old fence posts, and sometimes in cavities of man-made items including bee hotels. In the last 2 images one of them shows the final finished stopping of the cavity, where one egg has been planted towards the back, stocked with pollen and nectar for the larva to feed on when it hatches. It will spend winter in there all snug with a full larder. The last image shows crabapple leaves where the female bee has been harvesting the leaves. Look how perfectly she cuts them. Today she was working on a 3rd tube. How busy and industrious is she? And all in 30 degree+ heat!

Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee Megachile ligniseca nest in construction

Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee Megachile ligniseca cut leaves

08/2008/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, InsectsTags: Bees, Insects, Nature, Nature Healing, Nature Photography, Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee Megachile ligniseca 46 Comments

Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee

Bombus vestalis – There are a few of these around and about at the moment. It’s a cuckoo-bee which grows up in the nests of the Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). Note the conspicuous yellow patch on either side of the abdomen, and also the lack of pollen baskets.

05/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, InsectsTags: Bees, Insects, Nature, Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee Bombus vestalis 11 Comments

Common Mourning Bee

Melecta albifrons – This is a new visitor to the garden, and boy, did he love my flowers! He is a he, and he is probably still there now feeding. It is a solitary bee, a cuckoobee of the Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes) which invades the nests and has its young raid their hosts larder. Double-click images to enlarge.

05/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, InsectsTags: Bees, Common Mourning Bee Melecta albifrons, Insects, Nature Photography 27 Comments

Nomad

Marsham’s Nomad Bee (Nomada marshamella) – When you see how this bee flies you will be forgiven for thinking it is a wasp the way it moves. When it lands and is still you may still think it is a wasp. The fact is, it is a wasp mimic. Double-click images to enlarge.

05/2005/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, InsectsTags: Bees, Insects, Marsham’s Nomad Bee Nomada marshamella, Nature Photography 25 Comments

Tawny Mining Bee

Andrena fulva – This is a female with her thick gingery coat. I find these very skittish and they don’t like you getting too close to them. Slow and patient gets you there in the end. Double-click to enlarge image.

04/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, InsectsTags: Andrena fulva, Bees, Insects, Nature Photography, Tawny Mining Bee, Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva female 13 Comments

Hairy- footed Flower Bee

Anthophora plumipes – Lots of these around at the moment if you look out for them feeding from nectar-rich flowers with their long proboscis. It is a sexually dimorphic species, and the male is in the top image, and the female in the bottom image. They never keep still, so you have to hope for the best with these when trying to photograph them. Double-click images to enlarge.

Hairy-footed Flower Bee Anthophora plumipes female

04/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, InsectsTags: Anthophora plumipes, Bees, Hairy- footed Flower Bee, Insects, Nature Photography 19 Comments

Common Yellow-face Bee

Hylaeus communis – This is a small plasterer bee between 6-8mm (1/4-5/16in) long. The male, as shown here, has a very bright array of yellow facial markings. It is a common visitor to gardens, although this was the first time I had seen it here. Double-click for a closer look.

03/2003/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro PhotographyTags: Bees, Common Yellow-face Bee Hylaeus communis male, Hylaeus communis, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, plasterer bees 15 Comments

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera – Near the local river Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) grows in fair numbers on the outer margins of a famer’s field, and the bright yellow flowers are nectar-rich and attract a lot of insects, including these magnificent bees. Double-click on photos if you wanna ‘bee’ closer.

03/2003/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro PhotographyTags: Bees, European Honey Bee, Insect Macro, Insects, Nature Photography, Wildlife Photography 12 Comments

Always Busy

Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), local field. July 2019 © Pete Hillman.

08/19 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris, Insects, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 16 Comments

Queen

This is a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris which visited the garden. She had obviously been very busy and was dusted in pollen. I think she was tired and needed a rest, and she didn’t like me getting too close and disturbing her as she kept sticking up her middle legs, warding me off I guess.

May 2019, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.

05/1905/19 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris, Bumblebees, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 9 Comments

Sweat Bee

I was actually photographing the flower when this little Lasioglossum sp. of bee appeared. As you can see it is a very small bee compared to the usual honey bees, and has shiny metallic markings which are quite stunning. They are called sweat bees as they can be attracted to perspiration, but they will only sting if they feel threatened. They are very important pollinators, so yep, you are more than welcome to visit my garden anytime little bee.

Click and click again on the image to get that little bit closer …

May 2019, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.

05/19 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Insect Macro, Insects, Lasioglossum sp, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Sweat Bees, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 8 Comments

Bumbling Beauties

I find the Pyracantha such an amazing climber come shrub or even hedge depending on how you trim and train it, it is so versatile. In the autumn it produces masses of succulant berries which the birds feed on, and in the spring there is an abundance of white flowers which attract all kind of insects like flies and bees. I have quite a fondness for bees, especially bumblebees. This is the Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum.

May 2019, front garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.

05/1905/19 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Bumblebees, Insects, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 18 Comments

Bumblebee and Bugle

Double click on images to enlarge.

One of my very favourite bumblebees, the Common Carder Bumblebee Bombus pascuorum which is carrying quite a full load, and Bugle Ajuga reptans, which has come into flower.

May 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman

05/1805/18 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Bugle Ajuga reptans, Bumblebees, Common Carder Bumblebee Bombus pascuorum, Insects, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 14 Comments

Common Carder Bumblebee Bombus pascuorum

I love bumblebees, and this is one of my favourties.

September 2017, rear garden, Staffordshire, England.

09/1709/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Bombus pascuorum, Bumblebee, Bumblebees, Common Carder Bumblebee, Common Carder Bumblebee Bombus pascuorum, Hymenoptera, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 28 Comments

Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius

You can see why they call this the Red-tailed Bumblebee. This is a male with the yellow stripes. I really liked my Lavender, and must have been around it for about half an hour going from flower to flower.

August 2017, rear garden, Staffordshire, England.

08/1708/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insect Macro, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bees, Bombus lapidarius, Bumblebees, Hymenoptera, Insect Macro, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius male, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 21 Comments

A Little Bee

I came across this tiny bee in my rear garden. It may be a sweat bee, but I am not sure.

Please click on an image for a larger more detailed view. Clicking a second time may get you a little closer.

Rear garden, Staffordshire, England. June 2017

06/1706/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 16 Comments

Buck Bumble Stops By

It was a hot sunny afternoon and I sat by the pond sipping some cider when this rather rude fellow came and sat down right beside me.

He immediately began sticking out his tongue, and I said, “Hey, Buck. Do you have to do that right here and right now?”

“I sure do,” he said, sticking out his tongue so far out of his head I thought it might drop out.

“But it is rather rude, don’t you think?” I replied, feeling somewhat repulsed and putting my can of cider down on the deck.

“No, not at all,” the bumblebee said, curling and wriggling his sticky tongue.

Then something quite extraordinary happened. I thought I was on the set of another remake of The Thing when one tongue became three!

What the heck … I thought, and said. “Do you really, really have to do that, as well?”

The sun beat down, flies buzzed and a vibrant blue damselfly floated over the sparkling water of the pond to settle on the sword-like leaf of an Iris.

“I sure do,” he repeated, but it was hard to make out what he was saying with all that odd tongue business going on.

“But is it really necessary? I am trying to have a nice sit down and enjoy a nice drink of scrumpy. It is rather off-putting, you know.”

“I sure do. I have to keep it in tip-top condition. I apologise, but grooming is very important to us bumblebees.”

I mellowed a little, and picked up my can of cider and said, “I guess that’s fine then. Quite a neat trick the three in one thing.”

I dare not repeat what he said, but with that it buzzed off and left me there sitting on the deck pondering over what just happened.

Please click on the images for a larger more detailed view. Clicking again gets you closer still.

Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum), rear garden, Staffordshire, England. June 2017.

06/1706/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Bombus hypnorum, Bumblebees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Tree Bumblebee, Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 28 Comments

The Bumblebee And The Geranium

I have always had a soft spot for bumblebees since I was a child which has never waned, but has actually deepened as I have got older. This bumblebee is one of my favourites and is called the Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum). I am always taken by the bands of yellow and the bright orange tail, although the middle band can be absent in some workers.

Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) on Pencilled Crane’s-bill (Geranium versicolor), rear garden, Staffordshire, England. May 2017.

05/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Garden, Garden Flowers, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Plants, Wild Flowers, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Bombus pratorum, Bumblebees, Early Bumblebee, Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 15 Comments

Bluebells In The Garden

Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and introducing Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis), rear garden, Staffordshire, England. April 2017.

05/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Garden, Garden Flowers, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Plants, Wild Flowers, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Bluebell, Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Flower, Flowers, Garden, Garden Flowers, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Osmia bicornis, Photography, Red Mason Bee, Wild Flowers, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 18 Comments

Early Spring Risers

Here are three early spring risers which I found warming themselves on shrubbery at the bottom of my garden. Please click on images for better definition.

03/1703/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Hoverflies, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wasps, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, German Wasp, Hoverflies, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee, Vespula germanica, Wasps, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 14 Comments

Tree Bumblebee

Bombus hypnorum

Now this is one bumblebee I have seen a definate increase in visits to my garden in recent years.

The Tree Bumblebee is easily recognised by its gingery-brown thorax and black abdomen with a white tail. This is a short-tongued bumblebee. The queen may have some white hairs on her abdomen, and the male has white hairs on his face. Similar to the Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum), except the Tree Bumblebee has a distinct white tail. Size Queen 18mm, worker 14mm, male 16mm.

In its natural setting it nests in hollows of trees, but here it has taken to gardens, and particularly tit boxes.

Seen early in the year from February until July. Found in woodland, roadside verges, scrubby grasslands, parks and allotments. Often seen visiting fruit bearing plants, tree and shrubs, which make them important pollinators.

A relative newcomer to the British Isles, it was first recorded in Hampshire, England in 2001 and has steadily increased in numbers pushing northwards fringing the borders of Scotland. They have also spread rapidly eastwards, but have been slow in the west, but are now in South Wales. The bumblebee has the potential to spread throughout the whole country without any adverse affect on other species.

June 2014, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2014. Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

01/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bees, Bombus hypnorum, Bumblebees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Tree Bumblebee, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography Leave a comment

Wool Carder Bee

Anthidium manicatum

This has to be one of my very favourite solitary bees with its bright yellow markings, although it can have quite the temper with other bees.

Easily recognised solitary bee by the bright yellow spots on either side of the abdomen. It also has distinctive yellow legs and face. The male is much larger than the female, which is unusual amongst bees. Size 8 to 15mm.

The male holds territory around a clump of flowers expelling all apart from the female carder bees which it will mate with. They are so aggressive they are known to kill bumblebees much larger than themselves and honey bees by crushing them with three sharp prongs on their abdomen. The female cuts and combs the fibres from hairy plants with her large jaws and gathers them into a ball under her body in readiness to take back to her nest, which is usually constructed within a pre-existing cavity or a hollow stem. The ‘carded’ material is then used to line the nest. Good pollinators.

Seen May to August, and found in many habitats, including gardens. Widespread across Europe.

July 2006, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2006.

01/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Anthidium manicatum, Bees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Megachilidae, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography, Wool Carder Bee 2 Comments

Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee

Bumblebee Bombus vestalis

This species of cuckoo bee grows up in the nests of the Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). This parasitic bee differs from having a conspicuous yellow patch on either side of the abdomen. Other differences include a lack of pollen baskets on the legs, thinner coats, and making a soft murmuring rather than a definitive buzz. This is a short-tongued bee. Also called the ‘Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee’. Similar to the Gypsy Cuckoo-bee (Bombus bohemicus), where the patches aren’t so dominant and are smaller. Sizes male 15 to 19mm, female 20 to 24mm.

Like all cuckoo bees, they have no worker caste as their own, so they invade the hosts’ nests and take the work force for its own. Important plant pollinators.

The female will seek out its host’s nest and will fight off any hostilities towards her, eventually killing the queen of the nest and her offspring, and effectively she will run the show from then onwards, utilising the remaining workers for her and her young’s own benefits. Its hosts’ nests are generally old mouse holes. Feeds on nectar and pollen.

Seen March to August, and found in differing habitats, including gardens and grassland. Males regular in suburban gardens. Common in the south of England and Wales.

June 2007, front garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2007.

01/1701/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bees, Bombus vestalis, Bumblebees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 8 Comments

Tawny Mining Bee

Andrena fulva

The female is unmistakable with her bright fox-red coat. Size 10 to 13mm.

It can be seen coming and going to its nesting sites in the earth or in lawns where the female throws up little mounds of earth around her entrance. There maybe many mounds in close proximity, each one the entrance to a single, solitary bee’s nest. Excellent and essential pollinator. Feeds on nectar and pollen.

Seen April to June, and found in many habitats, including gardens. Widespread and common.

April 2013, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2013.

01/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, PhotographyTags: Andrena fulva, Andrenidae, Bees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Tawny Mining Bee, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 2 Comments

Common Carder Bumblebee

Bombus pascuorum

Also know as the ‘Brown Bumblebee’, this bee has a very distinctive tawny or gingery thorax. The abdominal region contains a mixture of black and brown hairs with traces of fine grey to white and is thin in coverage compared to the thorax which is fairly thick. A long-tongued bee. Size queen 15 to 18mm, worker 10 to 15mm.

These bees use their legs to comb moss (hence the English reference ‘Carder’ which comes from the world of spinning wool) to make their nests. They are relatively placid creatures, and rarely sting even when handled or disturbed. They feed on pollen and nectar, particularly that of clovers. An essential pollinator, and the only bee known to pollinate broad beans.

It is a surface-nesting bee, and nests are usually formed in old mouse holes or amongst carpets of moss or thick grass. The cuckoobee Bombus campestris targets the nests and uses the worker caste to its own advantage.

One of the earliest bees and one of the last to disappear in the autumn. Found in all habitats, including farmland and woodland glades, parks and gardens. Widespread and common in Britain, and one of the commonest bumblebees in Europe.

May 2007, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2007.

01/1701/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bees, Bombus pascuorum, Bumblebees, Common Carder Bumblebee, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 5 Comments

Early Mining Bee

Andrena haemorrhoa

Quite a small bee which never really kept still, and quite a challenge to photograph with the camera I had at the time.

The rich gingery brown thoracic hair and the blue-black-brown abdomen with the gingery brown tip readily identify this small active, solitary bee. The male is much smaller than the female, and the male has a pale brown face whilst the female is white. Size 10 to 12mm.

Burrows are dug in many open habitats in which they make their nests. Feeds on pollen and nectar.

Seen March to July, and found in various habitats, including parks, garden lawns, sports fields, and similar places. A common species in Britain and across Europe generally.

June 2006, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2006.

01/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Andrena haemorrhoa, Andrenidae, Bees, Early Mining Bee, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 4 Comments

White-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus lucorum

One of my favourite bumblebees and a regular visitor to my garden.

The queens and workers (and some males) have a white tail and a lemony stripe towards the front of the the thorax, and a lemony stripe across the abdomen. A large robust species with a very short tongue. Similar to Bombus terrestris, which can be very hard to distinguish between workers. Sizes queen 19 to 20mm, male 14 to 16mm, worker 11 to 17mm.

They nest in a variety of places, usually underground, and always under cover. Old rodents’ nests make good places. Often nests beneath timber floors of garden sheds. Mature nests are large, with over 200 workers. Towards the autumn the colony gradually dies out with the old queen, the new fertilised queen flown the nest ready to hibernate and to start over again the next spring. Not particularly fussy eaters. They also dine on the pollen and nectar of the more exotic garden species of flower. They are excellent pollinators.

The queens, looking for nesting sites, are one of the first bees to be seen in the spring. Found in many habitats, but usually in upland and moorland habitats. A regular garden species. Widespread and common, especially towards the north.

June 2006, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2006.

01/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bees, Bombus lucorum, Bumblebees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, White-tailed Bumblebee, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 10 Comments

Coelioxys elongata

This Sharp-tailed Bee (this group is also called Sharp-abdomen Bees or Sharp-bellied Bees) has a dark brown to blackish abdomen with pale stripes, forming a definite point at the rear in females. The abdomen is less pointed in males, and the faces are quite hairy. Size 10 to 15mm.

A cleptoparasitic solitary bee of leaf-cutter bees of the genus Megachile. A good pollinator. Defined as a cuckoobee for its nature of laying eggs in the nests of social bees (similar to that of cuckoo birds where the name comes from) where they are reared as the hosts own larvae. The parasitic bee larva consumes the pollen ball and the larva within the cell and is tended by the host bee’s worker class. Feeds on pollen and nectar.

Seen June to September. Found in many habitats, including gardens. Local. Endangered species in Ireland.

01/1706/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Coelioxys elongata, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 10 Comments

Garden Bumblebee

Bombus hortorum

This was a special treat when this large bee with a very long tongue (yep, bees have tongues) visited my garden, for I have not seen one since.

Sometimes called the ‘Small Garden Bumblebee’ (despite it being one of the largest species) or the ‘Long-tongued Bumblebee’, it has two yellow bands on the thorax, one yellow band on the abdomen, and a white tail. The tongue is very long (the longest of any bumblebee found in Europe, in fact), and the male has black facial hairs. A large, shaggy garden species. Sizes queen 17 to 22mm, male 13 to 15mm, worker 11 to 16mm.

The nests are usually made underground and always under cover. Queens searching for suitable nesting sites may be observed March to May. Mature nests contain around 100 workers. Barbut’s Cuckoobee (Bombus barbutellus) takes over the nests of B. hortorum, of which it looks very similar, but it is not nearly as widespread.

The males appear in June, and they are found in many habitats, especially gardens. They regularly visits foxglove (Digitalis), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), and Dead-nettle (Lamium). A widespread and abundant species.

01/1701/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bees, Bombus hortorum, Bumblebees, Garden Bumblebee, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 11 Comments

Flower Bee II

May 2015, male Anthophora plumipes, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2015. Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

01/1701/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Anthophora plumipes, Apidae, Bees, Flower Bee, Hairy- footed Flower Bee, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 18 Comments

Flower Bee

Anthophora plumipes

Now this is quite a curious bee I discovered visiting my garden. Sometimes called the ‘Hairy- footed Flower Bee’, the female of this fast-flying solitary bee is jet black, whilst the male is largely gingery-brown with a bright yellow face. Long-tongued bee. Size 14 to 17mm.

The nests are built in the ground and in the loose mortar of old walls. Feeds on nectar and pollen, and is a good pollinator.

They are seen March to June, although rarely seen in June. Found in flower-rich pastures, including gardens, where Common Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is a favourite flower. Distributed throughout much of England and Wales, especially south. Absent from Scotland and Ireland.

Male, top three images taken April 2007, and female bottom three images taken March 2012, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2007 and 2012.

01/1701/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Anthophora plumipes, Apidae, Bees, Flower Bee, Hairy- footed Flower Bee, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 10 Comments

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Sometimes called the ‘European Honey Bee’, this is the most familiar of all our bees. It is the male drones that we usually see buzzing around the flower borders in summer. They vary from bright honey coloured to grey or dark brown, for Apis mellifera (translates as ‘honey carrying bee’) covers several subspecies or tribes. Sizes queen 16mm, drone 16mm, worker 12mm.

Widely domesticated bee and associated with artificial hives manufacturing honey, wax, and other products. They communicate with the language of dance. Essential pollinator of commercial crops and providers of honey and wax.

Apart form the man-made hives, they generally nest in the hollows of trees, which are constructed from wax. Each nest may contain thousands upon thousands of bees. Feed on nectar and pollen.

Seen early spring until late into the autumn. Found in a wide range of habitats, especially gardens. Nests usually found in woodland. Widespread and abundant. Native to Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Populations have suffered depletion where non-native bees have been introduced. A recent threat here in Britain is the mite Varroa jacobsoni which has caused devastation to colonies after its introduction in 1992.

01/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Apis mellifera, Bees, Honey Bee, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 28 Comments

Barbut’s Cuckoo Bumblebee

Bombus barbutellus

Both sexes have two yellow stripes on the thorax and one on the abdomen with a white tail. They have sparse hairs and the wings are darker. The facial hairs on the male are black. Size 15 to 19mm.

A cleptoparasitic bee of the nests of the Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum).

Females searching for hosts to parasitise are seen in April to May. Males and females on flowers in July and August. Found in many habitats, including gardens. Not generally common, but widely distributed in southern England and in west Wales.

01/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Barbut’s Cuckoo Bumblebee, Bees, Bombus barbutellus, Bumblebees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 14 Comments

Nomada flava

This is a wasp-like cuckoo-bee which has a black and yellow striped abdomen with reddish markings at the front, a reddish striped thorax, and red legs and antennae. Size 12mm.

Nomada flava is a cleptoparisitic bee of mining bees, where the female lays its eggs so the hatching larva will develop there, killing the host larva.

Seen April to May, and found in a variety of flower-rich habitats, including meadows, hedgerows, verges and gardens. Common and widespread in England and Wales.

01/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Nomada flava, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 8 Comments

Honey Bee Nest

On my walks through the wood yesterday I came across this Honey Bee nest in an old tree hollow. They were busy toing and froing, quite busy in their endeavours.

Photograph of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) nest, taken October 2016, local wood, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D7200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

10/1610/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Nature PhotographyTags: Apidae, Apis mellifera, Bee, Bee nest, Bees, Honey Bee, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 7 Comments

Red Mason Bee

Osmia bicornis

A small solitary bee with golden yellowish to orangish hairs. The male has pale facial hair, whilst the female has black. Up to 14mm in length. It is called the Red Mason Bee for it rakes out old, loose mortar between bricks in walls to construct its nest cells before rendering them over again, but does not strictly utilise mortar cavities, but will use any cavity available.

In the early spring the females will mate then find a natural hollow or man-made one, having a particular liking to mortar in old walls. It will then make cells with mud and store collected pollen or nectar then lay a single egg in each cell. The hole is usually plugged before the female moves off to find another suitable cavity. The entombed larva will then remain in the cavity until the following spring when it will emerge as an adult. These bees are hardy to severe winters. Non aggressive bees which will not sting unless harmed. They are excellent early spring pollinators, especially of fruits. Feeds on nectar and pollen.

Seen April to July in many habitats, including gardens. Very common in southern Britain.

Photographs of Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis) taken in May 2015, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2015. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

10/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Bees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 7 Comments

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

This is our largest bumblebee and is sometimes known as the ‘Large Earth Bumblebee’. It is usually the first to emerge after hibernation. The queen has a distinctive dirty white to orangey tail, and deep yellow thoracic and abdominal bands. The tongue is very short. Queen 19 to 22mm, male 14 to 16mm, worker 11 to 17mm.

Because of its short tongue this bee has developed a special ability to reach the nectar deep within flower heads by biting a hole at the base of the corolla and then drinking through it. These bees can apparently navigate their way back to a nest from 13km (8 miles) away! Important pollinators, especially of fruit trees, raspberries and blueberries. The nests are built in a variety of locations, but usually underground and always undercover. Large nests may contain over 300 workers. The Vestal Cuckoo-bee (Bombus vestalis) is a cleptoparasitic bee which invades the nests and looks very similar. Feeds on nectar and pollen.

Emerging as early as February in the south. Found in many habitats, and a regular visitor to gardens. A common and very widespread species, not only throughout Britain but also Europe. But not in the far north, and scarce in Scotland.

Photographs of Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), taken September 2016, rear garden , Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D7200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

09/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Nature PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bee, Bees, Bombus terrestris, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Bumblebee, Bumblebees, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 2 Comments

Just Hanging On

Photograph of Common Carder Bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum), taken September 2016, rear garden , Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D7200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

09/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Insects, Nature PhotographyTags: Apidae, Bee, Bees, Bombus pascuorum, Bumblebee, Bumblebees, Common Carder Bumblebee, Hymenoptera, Insects, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 8 Comments

The Pea And The Bumblebee

Photograph of Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea (Lathyrus latifolius) and the Common Carder Bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) taken August 2016, Bournemouth, Dorset. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Nikon 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens.

08/1608/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Bees, Insects, Nature Photography, Plants, Wild FlowersTags: Bee, Bees, Bombus pascuorum, Broad-leaved Everlasting-pe, Bumblebee, Bumblebees, Common Carder Bumblebee, Insects, Lathyrus latifolius, Nature, Nature Photography, Wild Flowers, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 2 Comments

The Bumblebee And The Buddleia

Although Buddleias can get a little out of hand in smaller gardens, I have always had one growing in a corner or two at the bottom of my small back garden. The flowers indeed attract numerous nectar loving insects, like this White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum), and butterflies, giving it one of its common names the ‘Butterfly-bush’.

07/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals (Invertebrates), Bees, Garden, Insects, Nature Photography, Plants, Trees & ShrubsTags: Bee, Bees, Bombus lucorum, Buddleia, Bumblebee, Butterfly-bush, Garden, Insects, Nature, Nature Photography, Trees & Shrubs, White-tailed Bumblebee, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography Leave a comment

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Bombus hypnorum

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Anthidium manicatum

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Bumblebee Bombus vestalis

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Andrena fulva

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Bombus pascuorum

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Andrena haemorrhoa

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Bombus lucorum

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Bombus hortorum

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Anthophora plumipes

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Apis mellifera

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Bombus barbutellus

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