Bee identification

MarkN

Hi,

Last year we had a lots of tree bumble bee's coming and going from somewhere in our out-house. This year there seems to be different ones and i wondered if anyone knew any easy way of telling the difference between a honey bee and a solitary bee as I understand they look similar to the untrained eye? Not sure if this provides a clue but we've found a few dead/dying ones on the ground outside (which I understand is normal as these will be worker bees?).

Any help would be appreciated!

 

pansyface

They don't really look very similar when you see two side by side. Here are some solitary bees

http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/identification/other-bees/

Honey bees are less hairy and more stripey

pansyface

But there are fewer varieties of honey bees, most of which in this country look like this

http://barnsleybeekeepers.org.uk/species.html

especially the ones in Barnsley

nutcutlet

The trouble I have with IDing bees is that they won't stay still while I line them up with a picture

Jimmy Crawford

Honeybee is a dark brown looking wasp. Solitary bees are too numerous to be worth bothering with an ID. The rest will likely bee Buff/White tailed, Red Tailed and a few carder bees.

landgirl100

The Field Studies Council do a nice fold-out ID card for bee ID, you can get them direct from the FSC or from Amazon (not expensive).

http://www.field-studies-council.org/publications/pubs/guide-to-bees-of-britain.aspx

 

MarkN

Thanks all, I'm figuring they can't be solitary bees as I'd imagine the chances of several 'solitary' wasps all dying in our back yard within a few days of each other are small. They definately are more the 'wasp' shape and stripes (but deffo not a wasp). I wonder if they are honey bees then..

pansyface

Stick a photo on here and someone will say.

MarkN

Aye pansy face, I'll take one next time I see on thanks