Colletes daviesanus. (Smith, 1846) Davies’ Colletes.
Family: Colletidae - Plasterer Bees. (Solitary bees)
Length: Female 7 to 9mm, (male slightly smaller).
Flight Season: May to early September.
Habitat: A wide range of flowery habitats are visited, both coastal and inland. Favoured areas being brownfield sites and arable margins. This being one of the more likely Colletes you will see in your garden. Nest sites are built in the soil, preferring south facing slopes, such as sandstone cliffs. Will also nest in the soft mortar of walls, which can cause serious problems, when a large number of bees are nesting close together. The female builds her nest, entirely from the flowers she has collected.
A widespread species distributed throughout England, not so common in Wales and Scotland, very rare in Ireland.
An important host for the sarcophagid fly (Miltogramma punctate), also the cleptoparasitic bee (Epeolus variegatus).