Large-headed Armoured-Resin Bee

Appearance

A small, bout 5 - 5.5mm, elongate bee with distinctive terminal white hair bands on the abdomen. The female with an orange scopa.

Distribution

Mostly in Europe with soem sightings in America.

Behavior

You may find them resting in cavities in dead wood or occupying bee hotels where they may nest. They also build their nests in pre-existing cavities, or hollow stems such as brambles.
They nest in cavities in wood excavated by other insects, or perhaps occasionally pine cones. They separate the cells of their nest with resin. The resin is usually gathered from pine trees.

Habitat

These bees may be found in a range of habitats, including gardens, woodland, brownfield sites and especially where Common Ragwort flourishes.

Food

They are known to visit a large variety of flowers, including Ragwort, Cat’s ear, Common Fleabane, corn marigold, sow thistle, Tansy and garden plants such as Heleniums.