Hairy-footed Flower bee

Andy M noticed a smaller bee in the garden last weekend (13th April), about 10-12 mm long with a 'blunt' rounded abdomen, completely black except some buff-coloured hairs on the hind legs, and a long proboscis. It seemed to be being 'followed around' by a similar sized bee, which was gingery-coloured with a banded abdomen. A little investigation indicated these were both Hairy-footed Flower Bees (Anthophora plumipes), the black one being a female, and the gingery one a male. One of the earliest solitary bees to emerge (seen Feb-June), they are found throughout southern England, being most common in the south and east.

Hairy-footed Flower Bee (female)

 Hairy-footed Flower Bee (female)

 Hairy-footed Flower Bee (female)

 Hairy-footed Flower Bee (male)