Hairy-foots in the Garden.

At this time of the year the Barberry bush is a riot of colour and a firm favourite with bees.Today one of the many visitors to its abundant flowers was a female Hairy-footed Flower Bee Anthophora plumipes. This species is a common sight in the south of England and can readily be seen in our gardens. Hairy-footed flower bees often nest in the soft mortar of walls and sometimes in soil.
The females are black and resemble small bumblebees, with orange or yellow hairs on their hind legs.The males are rusty brown in colour and have long hairs on their legs and feet.These features can be seen below.