The Ivy Plasterer bee (Colletes hederae)

I featured this bee last year (with video) but as it's one of my favourite bees, I couldn't resist doing so again.

As soon as the Ivy flowers, this bee appears as if by magic, in large numbers.

I love watching them go to work.

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Glad you did it again! Interesting how this one seems far more hairy. A difference in the sexes? Posted 3 years ago
1. Philip Booker
  
  Lion
  
  Males and females are very similar, one difference being that the male has notably longer antennae.
  
  The two photos are, I believe both female.
  
  They emerge late September, weeks after the males, who will then pounce on them en masse in a frenzied attempt to mate in what's called a 'mating ball'.
  
  I think last year's photo is a worn out female who's been through that experience, while the one above looks freshly emerged? Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    "She's been places", got it! Posted 3 years ago