Bees
There are about 260 bee species in the UK, including bumblebees, the honey bee, mining bees, masonry bees, leafcutter bees and some that are cleptoparasites (steal the food of) other bees. Some resemble wasps.
Below are some of the bees our Identification and Advisory Service team is most often asked about. Select one to find out more, including identification clues. Some flies are bee mimics.
-
Buff-tailed bumblebee, Bombus terrestris
-
Garden bumblebee, Bombus hortorum
-
White-tailed bumblebee, Bombus lucorum
-
Wool-carder bee, Anthidium manicatum
-
Mining bee, Andrena nigroaenea
-
Cuckoo bees, Nomada goodeniana
-
Tree bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum
-
Early bumblebee, Bombus pratorum
-
Red-tailed bumblebee, Bombus lapidarius
-
Common carder bee, Bombus pascuorum
-
Hairy-footed flower bee, Anthophora plumipes
-
Red mason bee, Osmia rufa
Can't find your bee?
If you want help identifying a bee but can't see it in this gallery, you can post your own image and ask our experts and enthusiasts in the Bug forum.
