Hairy-footed Flower Bee vs Large-headed Resin Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hairy-footed Flower Bee Large-headed Resin Bee
Scientific Name Anthophora plumipes Heriades truncorum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Megachilidae
Size 14-16 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Underground Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Hairy-footed Flower Bee

A fast-flying, plump solitary bee with males covered in tawny hair and females jet black. It is one of the earliest spring bees, often visiting pulmonaria and comfrey.

💡

Did You Know?

Males hover in front of flowers like tiny hummingbirds, darting between blooms at high speed.

Large-headed Resin Bee

A tiny black resin bee with a disproportionately large head that nests in beetle holes and hollow stems. It uses plant resin to construct partitions between brood cells.

💡

Did You Know?

Its oversized head allows it to perfectly plug the entrance of its narrow nest cavity like a living door.