Bees in the hydro garden
We’ve been spotting a variety of bee species at the hydro this spring. They are feeding on nectar from the flowering shrubs and trees and the plants in the flower border. Here are photos of some of them.
Davies’ colletes
This is a type of plasterer bee. Like the mining bees the females create a nest by burrowing into the earth. But they coat the inside of the burrow with waterproof material which they secrete. Hence the name ‘plasterer’ bee.
Orange-tailed mining bee
Mining bees are solitary bees. The females make nests by burrowing into the ground.
Ashy mining bee
Recognisable from the shaggy grey hairs on the upper part of its body.
Patchwork leafcutter
This is another solitary bee but the females of this species look for nest sites above ground, such as holes in trees. They often lay eggs in bee hotels. They cut pieces from leaves to line their nests.
Tree bumblebee
Social bees which create nests with a queen, workers and male drones. The worker bees have orange hair on the upper body, and a white tail. This common bee first arrived in the UK in 2001. It sometimes nests in bird boxes.
Early bumble bee
Another social bee. The worker bees have a yellow collar, black body and an orange tail.
Common carder bee
One of the smaller social bumblebees. They have fluffy light-brown hair on the upper body. Frequently seen in gardens.
Garden bumblebee
Common in gardens. The workers have a yellow collar, yellow band round their middle and a white tail. They have long tongues suited to deep flowers.