Rare Bees

[kshotton45]

Mining bee stronghold uncovered

One of the UK's rarest bees has established a stronghold in sandy dunes on the Western Isles.
RSPB Scotland said its staff and enthusiasts had discovered multiple nest sites of northern colletes, or mining bees, on the Uists.

The full storys here ...
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Highlands and Islands | Mining bee stronghold uncovered

[eucera]

Well well!

Just some info on this bee; Colletes floralis. This bee has been known from the Western Isles for many many years, and the RSPB are the lead partners in its BAP conservation. They have been aware of its existence on their reserves for ages. It is also on Benbecula and Barra, Colonsay, Islay etc.... I am delighted that they are flagging this species up, as the UK holds important populations in the Atlantic biogeographical region. The bee is the only species which is more plentiful in Ireland than Britain.

The species has a remarkable distribution, with coastal populations in Ireland, Scotland and in Cumbria... then in Norway (Oslofjord area), southern Sweden, Finland and the Baltic states. It also has populations in montane regions in southern Europe. The bee provisions its brood cells on a variety of pollens (I have seen a female with 3 different pollens in her scopa), but is particularly fond of Wild Carrot and Sea-Holly (both Apiaceae)