Welted Lesser Mason Bee (Hoplitis claviventris)

We all like surprises.

Like the surprise of finding out that little bee photograph among many bee photographs is a species you haven't comer across before.

H. claviventris is one of only two Lesser Mason Bee species in the UK. An easily overlooked small Osmia-like species found locally from May to late summer throughout the south of England in particular, but extending north to Cumbria.

It prefers calcareous grassland, heathland, sand dunes, vegetated shingle & woodland etc. where flower rich sites can be found and in particular those rich with Bird's-foot Trefoils for pollen. It will also feed on nectar from Buttercups, Red Clover, Horseshoe Vetch and others.

Nesting occurs in the woody hollow stems of Bramble and Roses and less commonly herbaceous species like Ragworts and Thistles.