Honeybee (Apis mellifera)

Social bees that live in colonies. Known for honey production and pollination. Honeybees have a single queen, thousands of workers, and some drones. They play a vital role in agriculture and are often managed by beekeepers. Read More

Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

One of the most common bumblebees in the UK. They have a distinctive buff-colored tail and live in colonies. Active even in winter, these bees are excellent pollinators, particularly in gardens and early-flowering crops. Read More

Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)

Easily recognizable by their black bodies and bright red tails. These ground-nesting bees are often seen in gardens and meadows. They are important pollinators of wildflowers and crops like clover and raspberries. Read More

White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)

Similar to the buff-tailed bumblebee but with a bright white tail. Common in gardens, parks, and woodlands. They are social bees that live in large colonies, often found nesting underground in old rodent burrows. Read More

Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum)

One of the first bumblebees to appear in spring. Small with a yellow-and-black striped body and an orange tail. These bees are important for pollinating early-flowering plants like blackberries and fruit trees. Read More

Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)

Known for their long tongue, which allows them to pollinate deep flowers like foxgloves. They have a black body with yellow stripes and a white tail. Often found in gardens, they nest underground or in bird boxes. Read More

Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)

A recent arrival in the UK, first recorded in 2001. These bees are distinctive with their ginger thorax, black abdomen, and white tail. They often nest in bird boxes and are highly adaptable to urban environments. Read More

Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)

A small, ginger-haired bumblebee. Unlike most bumblebees, carder bees don’t have stripes. They are social bees that build nests in grass tussocks or above ground and are frequently seen in gardens and meadows. Read More

Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva)

A solitary bee with a bright orange coat, the females dig burrows in lawns and bare soil. Active in spring, they are important pollinators of fruit trees like apples and cherries, often seen in gardens and orchards.  Read More

Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria)

A solitary bee with distinctive black-and-white bands on the thorax. Females dig nests in the ground, often in sunny locations. Active in early spring, these bees are important pollinators of various wildflowers and crops.  Read More

Leafcutter Bee (Megachile spp.)

Solitary bees known for cutting neat, circular pieces of leaves to line their nests. They nest in hollow stems or cavities and are important pollinators of garden flowers and wild plants.  Read More

Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes)

Solitary bees with fast, darting flight. Males are ginger, while females are black. Often seen hovering around flowers in early spring. They nest in old walls or soft mortar, and they favor plants like lungwort and dead-nettle.  Read More

Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum)

Solitary bees that use plant fibers to build nests. Males are territorial and larger than females. They are known for their aggressive behavior towards other bees and are often seen in gardens on lamb’s ear and other fuzzy-leaved plants.  Read More

Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)

Solitary bees that nest in cavities like hollow stems or bee hotels. Known for their reddish-brown color and important role in pollinating fruit trees. Females seal their nests with mud, hence the name “mason bee.”  Read More

vy Bee (Colletes hederae)

A solitary bee that exclusively forages on ivy, making it active in late autumn when ivy flowers. Recognizable by its distinctive orange and black-striped abdomen, they nest in large aggregations in sandy or light soils.  Read More

Long-horned Bee (Eucera longicornis)

Named for the males’ long antennae, this solitary bee is associated with flowers like vetch and clover. They are rare and found mainly in southern England. They nest in sandy soils, often in coastal or heathland areas.  Read More

Heath Bumblebee (Bombus jonellus)

A small bumblebee with a yellow collar, another yellow band on the abdomen, and a white tail. Found primarily in heathlands, moorlands, and coastal areas, they are adapted to harsher environments and are important pollinators of heather.  Read More

Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus vestalis)

A parasitic bee that invades the nests of the buff-tailed bumblebee. Lacking pollen baskets, these bees lay their eggs in the host’s nest, where their offspring are raised by the host workers. They resemble their host species but have subtle differences.  Read More

Large Garden Bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus)

Known for its long tongue, used to pollinate deep flowers like clover and beans. They have black bodies with yellow bands and a white tail. They are less common than other bumblebees and are often found in gardens and agricultural areas.  Read More

Orange-tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa)

A solitary bee with an orange-red tail and a black body. Active in spring, they nest in the ground, often in gardens and parks. These bees are important pollinators of early-flowering plants like dandelions and fruit blossoms.  Read More

Small Scissor Bee (Chelostoma campanularum)

A tiny, solitary bee with a slender black body. They nest in hollow stems and are specialists, primarily visiting bellflowers (Campanula). Their small size allows them to navigate the narrow flowers, making them key pollinators for these plants.  Read More

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Ashy Grey Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria)

Often confused with the Ashy Mining Bee, this solitary bee has distinctive ashy-grey hair. They dig burrows in sandy soils, usually in sun-exposed areas, and are early pollinators of a wide variety of spring flowers.  Read More

Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva)

A striking solitary bee with bright orange hair on the thorax. Females excavate nests in the ground, often in lawns. Active in early spring, they are vital for pollinating fruit trees and other early blooms.  Read More

Pantaloon Bee (Dasypoda hirtipes)

A solitary bee named for the female’s large, pollen-laden hind legs that resemble pantaloons. They nest in sandy soils, particularly in coastal areas and heathlands, and are important pollinators of wildflowers like daisies and thistles.  Read More

Four-spotted Flower Bee (Anthophora quadrimaculata)

A fast-flying, solitary bee with distinctive four pale spots on the abdomen. Found in southern England, they prefer nesting in old walls or clay banks. These bees are important pollinators of plants like dead-nettle and foxglove.  Read More

Blue Carpenter Bee (Ceratina cyanea)

A small, solitary bee with a metallic blue-green sheen. They nest in hollow stems or dead wood and are often seen visiting small flowers like those of umbellifers. Although small, they play a crucial role in pollinating various wildflowers.  Read More

Hairy-saddled Colletes (Colletes fodiens)

A solitary bee with a distinctive white hair band on the abdomen. These bees prefer sandy habitats and nest in aggregations in bare ground. They specialize in visiting flowers like knapweed and are important for pollinating various wild plants. Read More

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Large Scabious Mining Bee (Andrena hattorfiana)

A rare solitary bee with a strong preference for scabious flowers, particularly field scabious. Females have a black body with reddish segments on the abdomen. They nest in sandy soils and are essential pollinators for their host plants.  Read More