I had an email today day reminding that this was Solitary Bee week. Solitary Bees often get overlooked as crucial pollinators of plants and crops. Unlike Bumblebees, they live a solitary life rather than living in colonies and there are just males and females, no workers. Also unlike Bumblebees it is the males that emerge first. Often they are only on the wing for just a couple of weeks, long enough for the female to mate and lay her eggs. Some will nest in the ground and others in trees or in more recent years in Bug-hotels. But they do account for over 90% of the Bee species in the UK. These include mining bees, leafcutter bees and mason bees.
I have found all 3 of these species on my local patch, although sadly not to get such wonderful photos, over the past 2 years and I am still hoping to add to the species of this important pollinator group that are found here in SE London.
Pete's Favourite Things 