250 TYPES. SO WHICH HAVE YOU SPOTTED?

TAWNY MINING

What to look for: Furry, ginger bee with black legs and head.

When: Seen from late March to mid-June.

Where: They nest in lawns, producing volcano-shaped mounds of earth. Very efficient pollinators – it takes one visit from a mining bee to pollinate an apple but over nine from a honeybee. Goes to a wide range of plants and trees, including plum and maple.

WOOL CARDER

What to look for: A large bee with a dark body and pattern of yellow spots. Males have five spikes at the tip of the abdomen. When: Seen in late May to August. Where: They favour herbs, such as yarrow. Males defend their territory aggressively, but smaller ‘sneaky’ males coloured like a female can hide beneath the territorial male before subduing the female by placing the sex glands in their front feet over her eyes.

RED MASON

What to look for: Bristly orange body. The females collect pollen on the undersides of their abdomen so can look bright and vibrant. When: Seen from April to July. Where: They nest in cavities, including bricks, and have even been found inside door locks. The most likely to take up residence in your bee hotel. Very efficient pollinators, they will feed on many plants and trees, especially apples and pears.

RED-TAILED BUMBLEBEE

What to look for: Females have a red marking over their bottom half. Males have a red tail and usually have yellow markings on the face and thorax.

When: Queens seen in March, workers from April til early October.

Where: They nest in old mammal nests but love north-facing banks, usually in woodland. Queens can use the same site year after year. They reportedly favour yellow varieties of flower.

BUFF-TAILED BUMBLEBEE

What to look for: Two yellow and black bands. Queens have a buff tail. Males and workers have a white tail with a thin buff band.

When: One of the earliest bumblebees to emerge, the males can be seen from early in the year until October.

Where: Underground in old mouse or vole nests. Nests are large, with over 500 bees. Favoured plants include comfrey, lavender and a variety of crops and trees, including plum and maple.

TREE BUMBLEBEE

What to look for: Ginger thorax, black abdomen and a white tail. Black underside. When: Seen from March to July. Where: They love to nest in wood and the queens have been known to expel birds from their boxes in order to take over. The bees are highly active and effective pollinators but very aggressive. They favour plants that hang downwards, such as raspberry, comfrey and fuchsia.