Pantaloon Bee vs Hairy-footed Flower Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pantaloon Bee Hairy-footed Flower Bee
Scientific Name Dasypoda hirtipes Anthophora plumipes
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Melittidae Apidae
Size 12-15 mm 14-16 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Underground
Diet Pollen Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pantaloon Bee

A distinctive solitary bee where females have enormously long pollen-collecting hairs on their hind legs. It digs deep burrows in sandy soil.

💡

Did You Know?

Its leg hairs can hold so much pollen that the loaded scopae are wider than the bee's entire body.

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.