The parasitic bees have timed it just right. This is almost certainly Nomada flava but it has a couple of near identical cousins.

In flight, they are like a fast moving amber sphere.

They are after Andrena bee nests.

#solitarybees #bees #insects

I found just one of these, on a dandelion. It was on a mission. It lays its eggs on the larvae of the Hairy-footed Flower Bee, so it has followed them here. It can't feed on the comfrey but it is here because the comfrey is here! It is a Common Mourning Bee (Melecta albifrons).

#bees #solitarybees #insects

This is a Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes). It is abundant around these flowers, which are actually an invasive dwarf comfrey from the Mediterranean. This is a female, black all over apart from a tiny patch of orange on the back legs. It is not a bumblebee. It has a very long snout.

#bees #solitarybees #insects

This is an Orange-tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa). It is similar to the first bee in the orange glow of the shoulder fur but the body is bare and grey except at the end, where there is a tuft of orange hairs.

#bees #solitarybees #insects

A rather spectacular day for solitary bees today. This beautiful insect is a Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) just emerged and in glowing colours.

#bees #insects #solitarybees

My anger right now is righteous. So instead, have some bees.

#solitarybees #pollinators #insectsarecool

Completing an edition of alfalfa leafcutting bees (Megachile rotundata) and their cut leaves 🍃

#linocut #printmaking #solitaryBees #bees #nature #insect #wip #sciart #mastoArt