Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2010. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

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Wool-carder bee - Anthidium manicatum - Family: Megachilidae

Wool-carder bee - Anthidium manicatumWool-carder bee - Anthidium manicatum
© Roger Key/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, South East, South West

This is a solitary bee, rather hairless, medium-sized and with various yellow spots and stripes. The male is larger than the female. Wool-carder bees nest in existing holes in timber or masonry. The nest is lined with plant hairs like thistle down which are combed from the plant using special rows of hairs on the legs and carried back to the nest in a ball held under the body.

Food

Nectar and pollen.

Plants

Bell heather, Broom, Bugle, Cross-leaved heath, Foxglove, Harebell, Sainfoin, Spear thistle, White campion, Woolly lamb's ear

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