The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Wildlife => Topic started by: Fleecewife on July 10, 2015, 05:53:59 pm

Title: solitary bees
Post by: Fleecewife on July 10, 2015, 05:53:59 pm

Until today I had never actually seen one of the solitary bees, at least not consciously.  :bee: :bee: :bee:

Today I saw something with a gingery front half and a shiny dark back half, with faint lighter markings.  I identified it as a solitary bee, Andrena Nitida.  But when I read further I found it doesn't occur north of Yorkshire, and I'm in the south of Scotland.  I have heard that the range of many bees is gradually moving north, so I'm wondering if this little beauty has done so too.

Does anyone know how I can find out?  I didn't have a camera on me (inevitably) so have no positive proof that my ID is correct.

Title: Re: solitary bees
Post by: Cosmore on July 22, 2015, 11:27:49 am

Bee research station, Rothampstead - if it still exists?