Anthidium manicatum (European wool carder bee)♀︎♂︎

Stachys byzantina (Lamb's-ear)

Last update: 16 July 2021


Uncommon

LOCATION: Krimpen aan den IJssel, garden

OBSERVATION:
2021-VI-262021-VI-242021-VI-132020-VI-122019-VII-262019-VII-21


A female European wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) foraging on Lamb’s-ear (Stachys byzantina).

European wool carder bee ♀ (Anthidium manicatum) on Lamb’s-ear (Stachys byzantina)
European wool carder bee ♀︎ (Anthidium manicatum) on Lamb’s-ear(Stachys byzantina)
European wool carder bee ♀︎ (Anthidium manicatum) on Lamb’s-ear(Stachys byzantina)
European wool carder bee ♀ (Anthidium manicatum) on Lamb’s-ear (Stachys byzantina)

The females will harvest the hairs on the leafs of the plant with their mandibles and use it to cover the nest walls. This female has collected a ball of plant hair.

European wool carder bee ♀ (Anthidium manicatum) collecting plant hairs on Lamb’s-ear (Stachys byzantina)

The bees can be seen hovering next to a plant checking out the flowers.

European wool carder bee ♀ (Anthidium manicatum) on Lamb’s-ear (Stachys byzantina)

And the male pauses to drink some nectar as well.

European wool carder bee ♂︎ (Anthidium manicatum) on Lamb’s-ear (Stachys byzantina)

A male resting or waiting for a female?

European wool carder bee ♂︎ (Anthidium manicatum)