Species: Common Yellow-face Bee (Hylaeus communis)
Family: Plasterer bees (COLLETIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: Widespread
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Plasterer bees (COLLETIDAE)
The genus of Yellow-faced bees are small to very small bees that are predominantly black. Yellow markings on the face, antennae, legs and thorax allow for identification.
Nearly all these bees carry pollen back to their nest in their crop, regurgitating it upon arrival. This is unusual for bees. Nests are made in hollow plant stems or pre-existing holes.
There are 12 species of Yellow-faced Bee in the British Isles.
This genus of bees belongs to the Colletidaefamily of bees. They are commonly known as Plasterer bees.
C. Common Yellow-face Bee (Hylaeus communis)
The Common Yellow-face Bee has a wingspan of between 4 and 5 millimetres. They fly from late May to mid-September, often being found in gardens. They favour umbellifers especially, as is the case with the photograph below. These bees are widespread and common in the south of England.
Of the Yellow-face bees, this species is the only one whose yellow facial markings curl round the base of the antennae.
Images
Common Yellow Face Bee (Hylaeus communis)
The Common Yellow-face Bee has a wingspan of between 4 and 5 millimetres. They fly from late May to mid-September, often being found in gardens. They favour umbellifers especially, as is the case with the photograph below. These bees are widespread and common in the south of England.
