Download Anthidium Large, lively, broadly-built bees with a long tongue and

Anthidium
Large, lively, broadly-built bees with a long
tongue and prominent yellow markings.
Pollen is collected beneath the abdomen. The
forewings have two submarginal cells. Males
have spines on the tip of the abdomen and
can be territorial. There is one British species
which often comes to garden flowers, such as
Catmint.
Anthidium manicatum Wool Carder Bee
Both sexes of these large lively bees are easily
recognised by the row of yellow spots
(sometimes bars) on the abdomen. Both
sexes also have yellow markings on the face,
legs and mandibles, a yellow spot behind each
eye and a long tongue. Females have broad
white fore and mid tarsi covered in white
hairs and yellow markings on the tibiae. The
thorax has sparse brown hair and the scopa,
beneath the abdomen, is whitish in colour.
Males are larger than females and possess a
row of spines at the end of the abdomen,
used when attacking other insects straying
into their territory. The tibiae and tarsi have
yellow markings and whispy white hairs.
Flight times June-August
Distribution Widely distributed but scarce.
Anthidium manicatum
4
3
2
Anthidium manicatum female. Weybourne
23rd June 2009
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Habitat Gardens, Fenland, Broadland.
Flowers visited Flowers with a deep corolla.
Catmint, Marsh Woundwort.
Nesting Hairs from the leaves of plants such
as Lamb’s-ear are used to line the nest, which
is made in a hollow stem or other cavity.
Parasites Stelis punctulatissima.
Anthidium manicatum mating pair, Essex 2015
(Ted Benton)