The Ivy Bee was first recorded in England in 2001 and has now spread across much of Southern England and Wales. Last year I found it for the first time on two local sites and identified a number of other potential sites locally. So, the end of September and the beginning of October is a good time to check these sites.
So far I have checked out the two sites where I found them them last year and both have good number of bees this year too.
The Ivy Bee is the latest of our Bee species to emerge. As its name suggests it mainly collects pollen from the Ivy plant which is in flower from September through to November. It is readily identifiable with its brown hairy thorax and black and yellow banded abdomen. Check any patches of Ivy near you if you live in Southern England or Wales and you may find them.
Pete's Favourite Things 