🐝 Ants, Bees & Wasps

Large Shaggy Bee

Panurgus banksianus

About Large Shaggy Bee

A densely hairy black bee that specializes on composite flowers, particularly hawkbits and dandelions. Males have distinctively swollen, lemon-yellow faces.

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Did You Know?

Males' bright yellow face patches are thought to mimic the yellow disc florets of the composites they frequent, possibly to ambush females visiting flowers.

How to Identify Large Shaggy Bee

Large Shaggy Bee (Panurgus banksianus) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Melittidae. Adults typically measure 10-13 mm.

Large Shaggy Bee Habitat

Large Shaggy Bee is found in beaches & coastal habitats, particularly across Europe. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Large Shaggy Bee Diet and Feeding

Large Shaggy Bee feeds on pollen collected from flowers. As a pollen feeder, it plays a role in pollination, helping to fertilise plants as it moves from flower to flower.

Where Is Large Shaggy Bee Found?

Large Shaggy Bee can be found in Europe, where it inhabits beaches & coastal environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Large Shaggy Bee can be found

Is Large Shaggy Bee Dangerous?

Large Shaggy Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Large Shaggy Bee Role in Nature

Large Shaggy Bee plays an important role as a pollinator. By visiting flowers to feed on nectar or pollen, it transfers pollen between plants, aiding in reproduction and helping to maintain plant diversity. Pollinators are essential for the production of many fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers.

Seasonal Activity

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Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Large Shaggy Bee

What does Large Shaggy Bee look like?

The Large Shaggy Bee typically measures 10-13 mm.

Where is Large Shaggy Bee found?

The Large Shaggy Bee is found in Europe and typically inhabits beaches & coastal environments.

What does Large Shaggy Bee eat?

The Large Shaggy Bee feeds on pollen collected from flowers.

Is Large Shaggy Bee dangerous to humans?

The Large Shaggy Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.

What is an interesting fact about Large Shaggy Bee?

Males' bright yellow face patches are thought to mimic the yellow disc florets of the composites they frequent, possibly to ambush females visiting flowers.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Large Shaggy Bee (Panurgus banksianus). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/large-shaggy-bee

MLA:
"Large Shaggy Bee." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/large-shaggy-bee.