YELLOW-LEGGED MINING BEE
This small solitary bee is 9 to 13mm long. Green eyes and black antennae are surrounded by yellowish brown hairs on the head and all over the thorax. The abdomen is banded in distinct bands of black and yellow. The top of the rear leg (tibia) is heavily haired to allow for pollen collection on the female. The male is slimmer, covered in sparser hair and they lack the rear hairy legs.
These bees are very common but have 2 flight periods each year. It flies from March to May and again from June to early August. As their name suggests, these bees dig tunnels for their nests. Although these bees are solitary, their nests can be found close together if the conditions are favourable. Banks, sandy cliffs and well-tended lawns are all acceptable. The pollen is collected from flowering trees, shrubs and garden plants.
