WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Widespread and locally common throughout England and Wales, becoming more scattered elsewhere. It is expanding its range further North into Scotland. Habitat includes: Blossom-rich places such as: parks, gardens, allotments, cemeteries, roadside verges, woodland rides, wasteland, coasts, hedgerows, grasslands (chalk downland) etc. Can form large nesting aggregations and often uses lawns / flower beds. Diet: Pollen and Nectar from Beech, Blackthorn, Buttercups, Garlic Mustard, Gooseberry, Currents, Common Hawthorn, Holly, Maples (Sycamore), Oaks, Plums, Sallows, Wayfaring Tree. Flight period: late March to mid June. Life story: Nests on level soil with short, sparse vegetation. Soil is excavated at 200 - 300 mm, to form a tumulus in the centre of which is the nest entrance. Lateral burrows branch off from the main shaft at various intervals, each of these connects to a single cell (one egg is laid in each). Each nest generally contains four to five cells. The larva hatch within a few days, grow and pupate within a few weeks and remain dormant until Spring. Females can build two or three nests. Parasites include: 2 Nomad Bees: Broad-banded Nomad Bee, Panzer's Nomad Bee, Dark-edged Bee-fly.