BTB. Heriades crenulatus (Nylander, 1856)
Length 5 to 5.5mm
Family: Megachilidae- Leaf Cutter Group.
Genus: Heriades (long tongued) – Resin Bees.
Heriades Bees are found in the warmer climatic countries of Europe, same climatic applies to Asia, and America. Also found in African countries.
Heriades crenulatus is found Southern Europe and down into South Africa.
Nesting usually occurs in pre-existing holes and crevices found in most types of wood (live and dead), hollow plant stems. Also, will take the advantage of disused beetle holes.
The nesting partitions within the cells are constructed from a resin, this is usually found from pine and conifer trees, here in Southern Spain. The resin is “chewed” and mixed with small parts of wood and plant material, this material, is also used to cap the entrance to each cell.
Heriades crenulatus, visits a wide range of plants for pollen and nectar, plants like Common Ragwort and Tansy, so plants in the Asteraceae (daisy) family seem to be a favourite.