Hairy-footed Flower Bee vs Silvery Leafcutter Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy-footed Flower Bee | Silvery Leafcutter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anthophora plumipes | Megachile leachella |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 14-16 mm | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe | Europe |
| 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.
Silvery Leafcutter Bee
A coastal specialist bee with silvery-white hair on the underside of the abdomen. It nests in sandy ground near the coast.
Did You Know?
It lines its nest cells with cut pieces of petals rather than leaves, unlike most leafcutter bees.