Black Bee

[p.penn]

I had a black bee on my outside porch wall today. I have never seen one before...are they rare?

[Steve the Gas]

I would guess its a solitary bee, there are more solitary bee (iirc) than swarming types. Lets hope its not a masonary bee esp with your luck/skill

[p.penn]

A masonry bee? Are they the ones with the weird initiation ceremonies and secret handshakes?

[Totally Scrambled]

Those are the ones Helen. They can make a mess of your walls with their little trowels.
Dom

[p.penn]

I think they also know exactly where they are going as I seem to remember them having compasses?

[p.penn]

Ok, I have been really sensible and e mailed a local nature conservancy place to ask them - I await their reply with interest!

[Totally Scrambled]

Helen,
Is it one of these?
http://www.independent.co.uk/environmen ... 86781.html
Dom

[p.penn]

No Dom - it was one of the furry big bumble type ones - completely black though.

[secret squirrel]

My freind had baby bumble bees, who had gegun making a nest in her old rabbit hutch, and they got the bee keepers association to come and remove them. They were told that at this time of the year, the baby bees are looking for somewhere to make a home ready to hibernate and that all the adult bees will start dying off in about 5 to 6 weeks time.
Maybe your bee is looking for somewhere to sleep for the winter.
lorna

[p.penn]

Just had this reply from the wildlife place:

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the black bee you saw. I believe you are referring to the hairy-footed flower bee Anthophora plumipes. Although they are large and furry like bumblebees they are actually a species of solitary bee. This means that each female builds her own nest and provides for her own offspring without the help of other individuals of the same species unlike honey bees and bumblebees. Only the females are completely black, although they usually have a fringe of yellow hairs on their back legs. In contrast males are a gingery colour with a yellow 'face'. This species is very common in southern Britain and can often be seen in gardens.

So there you go. Can't believe I have never seen one before if it is so common.

[Totally Scrambled]

It's not surprising really Helen. After all why would anything common be found living in your area. It's far too upmarket
Dom

[Steve the Gas]

I was right then!!