Description

Body length 12 to 18mm. A large bee with strong jaws. The females have orange pollen hairs on their abdomen, but the hairs on the final two segments are dark brown, which distinguishes them from female Magachile willughbiella.

Habitat

A wide range of habitats can be used, as long as they can find flowers and nest sites. They nest in rotten wood in trees and man made structures like rotting fence posts or gates. They mostly prefer thistle flowers to collect food from, but do forage from a range of flowers.

Status and distribution

Widespread but local in southern Britain. Fairly common in Nottinghamshire and regular at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

June to September.