Check list of Aculeate Hymenoptera

A small dark wasp parasitic on lepidopterous larvae. A recent specimen was swept from decaying Laetiporus sulphureus on oak.

A small dark wasp parasitic on lepidopterous larvae. One from Staffordshire has been recorded as bred from a dipterous pupa but the exuviae are not with the specimen.

A cuckoo wasp found in a variety of situations. Its main hosts are thought to include Pemphredon lethifer, Pemphredon inornata and Trypoxylon spp., all of which are aerial nesters in dead wood and cut stems.

A small cuckoo wasp found mainly in sandy areas in Staffordshire as elsewhere, where it is associated with Psen and Mimesa spp.

A cuckoo wasp found in a variety of situations. In this county it has been taken by sweeping bushes at the interface of deciduous woodland and coniferous plantation. Its main hosts are unknown although they are thought to include aerial nesting solitary wasps (Sphecidae).

A small cuckoo wasp found in sandy situations (including a golf course in the county). Its main host is the sphecid wasp Tachysphex pompiliformis, which hunts grasshopper nymphs.

A cuckoo wasp found in a variety of situations. Known hosts include Ancistrocerus trifasciatus and Crabro spp.

A small blue-green cuckoo wasp whose hosts include both solitary bee and wasps which have aerial nests. These include Trypoxylon spp., Pemphredon spp. and Chelostoma florisomne. This wasp is found in a wide variety of situations.

Material provisionally identified has, in a number of collections, been designated as 'C.ignita agg.'. Some of this Staffordshire material remains to be examined. A cuckoo wasp found in a variety of situations, often on walls and other buildings. Known hosts include Ancistrocerus spp.

A blue and red parasitoid wasp usually seen around old wooden posts, stumps and dead trees where the hosts (Osmia spp.) nest.

A cuckoo wasp found in a variety of situations, often on walls and other buildings. Known hosts include Ancistrocerus spp.

A cuckoo wasp found in a variety of situations, often on walls and other buildings. Known hosts include Ancistrocerus spp.

A cuckoo wasp known to be associated with Odynerus spinipes and Odynerus melanocephalus.

A cuckoo wasp that attacks Odynerus spinipes in vertical sandy faces.

A cuckoo wasp that is associated with the sawfly Nematus ribesii.

A small solitary wasp which is thought to parasitise beetle larvae from the Scarabaeidae family. These beetles are coprophores and are found in excavated chambers underneath dung. The female wasp is thought to enter the chambers and attack the larvae.

A wingless solitary wasp parasitic on tiger beetle larvae (Cicindellidae) in their burrows. In Staffordshire it is restricted to heathlands in the southern half of the County.

A small wasp, the female being wingless parasitoid associated with other aculeate Hymenoptera, including both sphecid wasps and halictine bees. Found throughout Staffordshire at suitable locations.

A small brood parasite of solitary bees, in the UK Chelostoma florisomne is thought to be the main host. The most recent record from Oakwood Pastures SWT Nature Reserve, where active males were recorded on and around a dead oak tree.

A red, black and white spotted wasp found in a variety of situations (including wooden fence posts and a greenhouse in Staffordshire) which is a brood parasite of bees, in particular Osmia spp. and Chelostoma spp. It has quite a widespread distribution in England and Wales.

An introduced ant usually found in houses or greenhouses, recorded once in large numbers in a house in Stoke-on-Trent.

A small red ant which has a localised distribution throughout Britain. It is often found in isolated colonies in open woodland, pasture and moorland. There is only one recent record from a moorland in Staffordshire.

A small red ant which is common throughout England. It can be found in a variety of situations including gardens and under stones in pasture, but may be more restricted in its choice of habitats in Staffordshire than M.ruginodis.

A small red ant, found throughout Britain and seemingly very common. It can be found in Staffordshire in a variety of cultivated and uncultivated habitats, regularly occurring on rough ground in grass tussocks and rotten wood.

A small red ant which is widespread in England and adapted to a variety of habitats. Common in Staffordshire, it appears to tolerate more arid conditions than other Myrmica sp, short turf grassland being a typical habitat. It may even be found in boggy places were it constructs nests consisting of mud-plastered walls.

A small red ant which is more common in the south of England. It dwells in sandy sheltered areas but has not been recorded in Staffordshire since the 1930's. Lack of recording effort may be a factor here.

A red ant of northern heather moorlands. It has not been recorded in the County for over fifty years, but again, recording effort (or lack of it) may be a factor.

A small red-brown ant generally widespread in Britain. In Staffordshire it is frequently associated with trees, small colonies often occurring in the bark of fallen branches or rotting stumps. It has also been found in association with old heather on heathland.

A localised southern species generally found under stones, in cliffs and in open woodland. It is often found with other ant species. It has not been recorded in Staffordshire for nearly 100 years. Large scale changes of land use near its old site may indeed have resulted in its loss.

A black ant found most commonly in open heathland and grassland. It is common in the south of England but recent recording in Staffordshire suggests that it may be less frequent in the county than F.lemani.

A black ant found most commonly in open heathland and moorland. It is commoner in the north of Britain and is easily confused with F.fusca. Both species are widespread within Staffordshire.

The Wood Ant. A large and conspicuous species that builds huge nests in open woodlands. In Staffordshire it occurs only along the edges of open conifer woodlands and is found at three sites.

A small brown ant. This species is a tree dwelling species, typically nesting in old oak trees in parklands. A single worker was found in the South of the County at Himley Hall in dead wood within the Parkland. This is the most northerly record for the United Kingdom.

A yellow subterranean ant which is widespread over England. It builds earth-mounds in pastures and is considered a good indicator of old grasslands.

The Jet Black Ant. A shining black ant which forms nests in trees, stumps and hedges. It is widely distributed in southern England although it has not been recorded in Staffordshire for 100 years. This may well be due to surveying oversight as it is not infrequent in areas of Worcestershire very close to Kinver in the South of the county.

A very common black ant which is ubiquitous throughout lowland areas of Britain. It is found in a variety of habitats and is often recorded from gardens and in houses.

A small brown ant nesting at the base of old stumps and under boulders. There are no recent records for this species in the County. This may be down both to lack of recording effort and also to the retiring nature of this ant which is most often seen when swarming.

A small black spider-hunting wasp which preys upon Thomisidae.

A small black spider-hunting wasp. Nests in walls, bramble stems and dead timber. A male emerged on 17th May 1996 from a pupa of this species collected from a crumbling dead ash trunk in deep woodland in the Sandwell Valley on Easter Sunday. The trunk was the habitat of numerous Segestria senoculata, the normal prey of this pompilid.

A small black spider-hunting wasp. Nests in a variety of cavities, substrates including dead timber, walls and snail shells. Also found on a window-sill in a house within the County. Preys on Thomisidae.

Excavates a short vertical burrow in dry sandy or sandy-clay soils. Prey Araneidae (Meta, Araneus).

A red and black spider-hunting wasp that builds multiple cells at the bottom of a single burrow in soil. Preys on a wide variety of spider families.

A species generally associated with woodland on clay soils and coastal sites in the east and south. Recorded taking spiders from both the Salticidae and the Clubionidae.

A species characteristic of sandy soils, particularly heathland in Staffordshire and elsewhere. Predominantly preys on Lycosidae, Thomisidae and Salticidae.

A large red and black wasp generally found on dry soils, nesting in the ground. Examination of earlier material in collections might reveal some misidentification because this and Priocnemis susterai may have been confused in the past. Prey includes Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae.

Usually nests in lighter soils. Preys on Clubionidae and Salticidae.

A large red and black species of woodland glades and grassy areas. There is also one record from heathland in the South of the county. Reported prey includes Clubionidae.

A large red and black wasp recorded from heathland in Staffordshire. Prey unknown but possibly include Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae. Examination of some earlier material in collections might reveal some misidentification because this and Priocnemis perturbator might well have been confused in the past.

A medium sized black wasp with extensive grey pubescence. It is found in areas containing large amounts of exposed sand where it hunts spiders from the families Lycosidae and sometimes Clubionidae, Thomisidae and Pisauridae.

A medium-sized spider-hunting wasp often encountered on sandy soil in which it excavates short burrows. Preys on a wide range of species including Lycosidae, Clubionidae and Thomisidae.

A medium-sized spider-hunting wasp found in a wide variety of situations. Prey not well known but has been recorded attacking Lycosidae.

A medium-sized spider-hunting wasp found often in woods and other vegetated habitats. Preys on Lycosidae.

A medium-sized spider-hunting wasp found in open sandy areas. Preys mainly on Thomisisdae.

A medium sized wasp that excavates spiders captured by other Pompilids and substitutes her own eggs. Found mainly in sandy habitats where other pompilids are common. At has recently been recorded from a large disused sand quarry on Cannock Chase.

A black spider-hunting wasp found often in stony and gravely substrates. Multiple cells are excavated often stocked with Lycosidae.

A medium sized black and red wasp often associated with moist sand. Preys mostly on Lycosidae.

A large black spider-hunting wasp, widespread in Staffordshire, often found in stony or gravely substrates. Preys on Lycosidae.

A large black and red wasp found on sandy soils. Preys mostly on Lycosidae.

A large red and black wasp with white spots found in open sandy situations. Prey on Araneidae.

A black wasp with yellow spots that appropriates spiders captured by other Pompilids and lays her own eggs which develop at the expense of others laid on the prey. Found mainly in sandy habitats where other Pompilids are common. It attacks a wide variety of other species.

A medium-sized black and yellow solitary wasp. Usually in vertical sand banks where it stocks its nest with weevils (Phytonomus spp.).

A medium-sized black and yellow potter wasp. Nests in various cavities but may prefer cut stems. Known to prey on lepidopterous larvae.

A medium-sized black and yellow potter wasp. Nests in a wide variety of cavities including walls and is known to prey on lepidopterous larvae, especially those of Tortricid moths.

A medium-sized black and yellow potter wasp. Nests in walls and rocks and these form conspicuous lumps when they are plastered over. They are known to prey on lepidopterous larvae, especially those of Tortricid moths.

A medium-sized black and yellow potter wasp nesting in a wide variety of cavities. Known to prey on various small lepidopterous larvae.

A medium-sized black and yellow potter wasp. It nests in a wide variety of cavities including walls and is known to prey on lepidopterous larvae.

A medium-sized black and yellow potter wasp nesting in holes in dead wood and in cut stems of plants such as bramble. Known to prey on small lepidopterous larvae and chrysomelid beetle larvae.

A large black and yellow wasp. There are no recent records of this rare insect, a predator of larvae of the large and conspicuous beetle Chrysomela populi, which feed on poplars.

A medium sized wasp which nests in holes in dead wood. It attacks both Chrysomela populi, which feed on poplars, and Cionus hortulanus, which feeds on figwort.

A medium-sized black and yellow wasp associated with willows and nesting chiefly in cut plants stems. It preys on the beetle, Phyllodecta vulgatissima, which feeds on willows and is probably widespread in the county.

The hornet. A large social wasp that generally nests in hollow trees. Colonies consist of a few hundred individuals; workers tend to collect nectar, fruit, honey and various insects. Despite being such a large and conspicuous species, there are few records for Staffordshire, suggesting that it is not particularly common.

A large wasp which has only relatively recently colonised the UK from the mainland in France and is well established in a few sites in South East Staffordshire. It is slightly larger than all the other social wasps excluding the hornet. It is an aerial nester.

Norwegian Wasp. A wasp that generally nests above ground in trees and bushes. It is generally being regarded as being more common in the north and west. Infrequent in Staffordshire.

Tree Wasp. Nests are generally above ground and include ivy, hollow trees and in houses. Reasonably abundant in the county, It is absent from the far south of the UK.

Saxon Wasp. Another social wasp which has recently been added to the British list, this species has now expanded its territory considerably and has been reported from a single heathland site in the South of the county.

The German Wasp. Nests can be both above and below ground and can be found in a variety of situations. Very common in Staffordshire.

Red Wasp. A social wasp often with red markings along its abdomen. Whilst more commonly found in heathlands and moorland, it has also occurred in urban settings in the county. It is a subterranean nester, utilising old mammal burrows and natural hollows.

The Common Wasp. Nests of this very common insect can be both above and below ground and occur in a variety of situations.

A small black and red solitary wasp that attacks true bug nymphs (Pentatomidae and Lygaeidae) and nests in sandy soils. There is only one recent record for this species in the County; from Cannock Chase where it was found in an old sand quarry.

A black and red wasp that attacks small grasshopper nymphs throughout mid-summer. The species nests in bare sandy locations and searches for its prey in grassland, heathland and other open habitats.

A medium-sized black wasp that most often nests in old beetle borings in dead wood and preys on spiders.

A black solitary wasp that nests in cavities such as old beetle borings and hollow stems. Preys on spiders.

A black solitary wasp that nests in cavities such as old beetle borings and hollow stems. Preys on spiders.

A large, slender black and yellow wasp that nests in sandy light soils. Frequently seen in Staffordshire, It attacks fliesfrom a number of families and stocks its nest with these.

A slender black and yellow wasp that nests in sandy light soils. Rather less frequently seen in the county than C.cribrarius, It attacks Diptera from the families Therevidae, Stratiomyidae and the superfamily Muscoidea, stocking its nest with these.

A small solitary wasp, frequently found in the county, nesting in aerial situations such as decaying wood. Preys on planthoppers (Homoptera)

A small black solitary wasp, infrequent in Staffordshire, nesting in pithy plant stems, particularly in elder, ash and guelder rose. It preys on small flies and plant lice (Psyllidae).

A small black solitary wasp, locally frequent in Staffordshire, nesting in dead wood and plant stems. Preys on small flies and plant lice.

A medium sized black and yellow solitary wasp nesting in aerial situations such as dead wood. Preys on flies.

A small wasp nesting both in the ground and in aerial situations such as holes in old posts. Preys on small flies.

Generally common in the county, this is a medium sized black wasp nesting mainly in old beetle borings in dead wood. It preys on flies.

Small black solitary wasp, infrequently found in Staffordshire and nesting in bracken stems and reedmace. Preys on small flies.

A small black wasp nesting in sandy ground, preying on small flies and possibly selected Hemiptera.

A small wasp nesting in sandy ground. Preys on small flies. Infrequent in Staffordshire.

A small, frequently encountered black wasp nesting in dead wood. Preys on small flies.

A small black wasp, soil -nesting and preying on small flies. Common in the county.

A medium sized black and yellow solitary wasp nesting in the ground, especially around the roots of trees. It is common in the South of the County and preys mainly on flies but also occasionally also collects Lepidoptera and Trichoptera.

Occasionally recorded in the county, this is a small black solitary wasp nesting in dead wood in sunny situations.

A small black wasp, nesting in light soils and mortar in walls and preying on small flies, especially Empidae. Locally frequent in the county.

A small solitary wasp nesting in dead wood, this is a species infrequently seen in Staffordshire. Preys on mayflies (Ephemoptera), especially Baetidae.

A small wasp, infrequent in Staffordshire, nesting in firm, dry sand. Preys on small diptera, especially stiletto flies (Thereva spp.)

A large black and yellow wasp nesting in aerial situations such as in decaying wood and plant stems. It is locally frequent in Staffordshire. Prey mainly on hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae).

A large black and yellow wasp nesting in burrows in decaying wood. Not infrequent in older woodland in Staffordshire, it preys mainly on flies.

A large black and yellow wasp nesting in aerial situations such as in decaying wood and plant stems. Fairly common in the county, it preys mainly on flies (mainly Syrphidae and Muscidae).

Medium- sized black and yellow wasp, probably nesting in dead timber and preying mostly on Diptera. The Staffordshire specimen was caught whilst carrying prey (Episyrphus balteatus) to a nesting hole in a dead fallen tree trunk.

A frequently encountered large black and yellow wasp nesting in aerial situations such as in decaying wood and plant stems. Prey mainly on hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae).

A medium- sized black and yellow wasp preying on Diptera (mostly Syrphidae). Recently found in Staffordshire as it visited Heracleum sphondylium flowers in deep woodland.

Abundant in many Staffordshire localities, this is a small black solitary wasp nesting in sandy soil. Preys on Heteroptera and small Diptera.

A small black solitary wasp nesting in sandy soil. Preys on Diptera (mainly male Chloropidae)

A small black wasp nesting in soil and preying on smaller beetles (Chrysomelidae). There appears to be but one record for Staffordshire.

A small black wasp nesting in plant stems, but also occasionally in sand and mortar. Preys chiefly on booklice (Psocidae) but also on small flies and aphids.

A small black wasp nesting in plant stems and dead wood. Preys mostly on flies although other species of insect are occasionally utilised.

A black and white medium-sized wasp nesting in sandy ground. Preys on flies.

A small slender black solitary wasp nesting indead wood. Preys on planthopper (Homoptera) nymphs.

A slender black and red wasp nesting in firm, flat sandy ground. Prey on leaf hoppers (Cicadellidae).

A slender black and red wasp nesting in sandy ground. Prey on leaf hoppers (Cicadellidae).

A small black wasp, nesting in stems and timber and preying on booklice (Psyllidae).

A small black wasp nesting in plant stems and dead wood. Preys mainly on aphids.

A very small black wasp nesting in old beetle borings in wood. Preys on nymphal thrips.

A small black wasp nesting in old beetle borings and plant stems. A specimen was recently swept from bramble flowers at the margin of old woodland. Preys on aphids (Homoptera).

A black wasp nesting in broken plant stems. Preys on aphids.

A small black wasp nesting in broken plant stems. Preys on aphids.

A black wasp nesting in rotten wood. Apparently common in Staffordshire, it preys on aphids.

A very small black wasp nesting in sandy ground. Preys on aphids.

A very small black wasp nesting in sandy ground. Preys on aphids.

A very small black wasp nesting in sandy ground and sometimes mortar. Preys on aphids.

A small black wasp nesting in dead wood. A cleptoparasitic species, stealing prey from other Passaloecus spp. and Psenulus pallipes.

A small black wasp nesting in old insect burrows. Preys on aphids.

Small red and black solitary wasp nesting in old beetle burrows. Preys on aphids.

A black wasp nesting in dead wood. Preys on aphids.

Small black wasp nesting in cut stems, partitioning cells with resin, mud and small stones. Locally frequent in Staffordshire.

A very large and slender black and red solitary wasp nesting in sandy ground- characteristic of good heathland in Staffordshire. Preys on large, hairless caterpillars.

A large black and yellow wasp nesting in the ground. Preys on flies.

A cleptoparasitic solitary wasp which is thought to enter the nests of Lindenius spp. and Gorytes spp.

A medium sized wasp. Cleptoparasitic on Argogorytes spp.

A cleptoparasitic wasp found mainly on open sites such as heathland and grassland. It is known to attack Gorytes spp.

A ground nesting solitary wasp which preys on froghoppers (Philaenus spp.).

A small red and black wasp with white spots nesting in sandy places. Preys on Cicillidae and Cercopidae (plant hoppers).

Medium-sized black and yellow wasp that nests in the ground. Preys on the larvae of Philaenus spp. (cuckoo-spit).

A large black and yellow wasp nesting in sandy ground. Preys on weevils, mainly Curculio spp. and Sitona spp. (Coleoptera).

A large black and yellow wasp nesting in sandy ground. Preys on medium-sized solitary bees such as Andrena spp. and Halictus spp.

The Bee-wolf. A large black and yellow wasp nesting in large aggregations in sandy ground. Preys on honey bees (Apis mellifera) as well as other solitary bees.

A very common bee throughout Great Britain and the most commonly encountered Colletes in Britain. It is oligolectic on species on the family Asteraceae, visiting ragworts (Senecio spp.), daisy (Bellis perennis), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and others.

A medium-sized local bee restricted to heathland and moorland in Staffordshire. Within the County it is present in most heathlands that have been surveyed. It is oligolectic on heathers (Calluna vulgaris and Erica spp.)

A small black bee that is more widespread in the south of Britain. This species tends to nest in exposed soil and seems to prefer disturbed sites. It is often seen visiting bramble flowers (Rubus fruticosus).

A small black solitary bee generally distributed around the UK. It tends to nest in the dead stems of brambles and docks and, although it feeds on a variety of plants, it seems to prefer bramble (Rubus fruticosus).

A small black bee that is more widespread in the south of Britain. It tends to nest in the dead stems of brambles and docks and is often found in woodland.

A small black solitary bee generally distributed around the UK. It tends to nest in the dead stems of brambles, docks and other plants and can be found foraging on a variety of plants including umbellifers, thistles and garden plants.

A medium-sized bee that is generally local and uncommon throughout the UK. It tends to be found as single individuals in Staffordshire, and has been recorded from woodland and heathland. It is polylectic, foraging from a wide range of flowers and can be seen on the wing from late April to mid June.

A medium-sized common bee widely distrubuted throughout Britain. It is restricted to light, sandy soils and tends to be associated with coastal dunes, sand pits and heathlands. It is single-brooded, flying from April to mid June and is polylectic, foraging from a number of different flowers.

A small bee with a dark body and bright yellow hair on the back legs. It is widely distributed and in Staffordshire has been noted from heathland and woodlands. It is double brooded, flying both in early spring and from mid to late summer. This bee is polylectic and collects pollen from a wide variety of flowers.

A local species although widely distributed throughout southern England. It generally nests in light, sandy soils and is known from one heathland site within Staffordshire. It is bivoltine; the first generation flying from late March to May; the second from early July to late August. It collects pollen from a variety of flowers.

A small solitary bee that is abundant throughout much of England. In Staffordshire it has been recorded from a variety of situations including a sand pit, mature woodland, wood-pasture and the edge of a hay meadow. It has been recorded collecting pollen from pignut (Conopodium majus) and from hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) within the County. This flies from late March to the end of June.

A large, unmistakeable black and white solitary bee and is most common in the north and west of England. In Staffordshire, it has been recorded from a wide variety of open habitats including moorland, heathland and grassland. It is a spring flying species, being on the wing from late March to early June. It is believed to be polylectic although it is known to frequent sallows (Salix spp.).

A medium-sized and conspicuous bee generally found to be common throughout the UK. It is found within a whole range of habitats including woodland, heathland and grassland. The bee is oligolectic, collecting pollen mainly from Sallows (Salix spp.) and flies in early spring.

A local bee found throughout Great Britain. It has been found in a variety of situations. In Staffordshire, all the recent records have come from heathlands and sand quarries where it has been recorded collecting pollen from knapweed (Centaurea spp.). It flies from early June to the end of August.

A medium-sized bee, which is localised throughout the UK. It flies from late June to the end of August and in Staffordshire has been noted from heathlands and sand quarries. It tends to forage from yellow flowering plants and has been noted on ragwort (Senecio jacobea) within the County.

A widespread species of Southern England, becoming more sporadic in the midlands and north England. It has been recorded in a variety of habitats although in Staffordshire in is only known from one heathland site in the south of the County. It is double-brooded, the spring brood foraging on hawthorn, the summer brood collecting pollen from a range of plants.

A bee which is now confined to the south of England. The record for Staffordshire dates back to the 19th century and it is very doubtful if this species is still present in the County.

A widely distributed bee, often found in woodland, heath, moors and sand dunes. It flies from mid May to mid July and visits a wide range of flowers.

The Tawny Mining Bee. A large and beautiful bee whose abdomen is covered in a thick layer of marmalade coloured hair. The bee is often found in towns and gardens and flies in early spring. It collects pollen from a variety of plants.

A medium-sized bee that is locally common throughout Great Britain. It is a late summer flier, being found from mid July to September and it collects pollen exclusively from ericaceous plants. It is therefore generally restricted within the County to heathland and moorland where it collects pollen from heathers (Erica spp. and Calluna vulgaris).

A ubiquitous bee present in a variety of habitats. It has been recorded in Staffordshire in gardens, woodland, heathland, grassland and hedgerows. It is an early spring species and forages from a wide variety of plants, with a considerable number of records in the county from hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and willows (Salix spp.)

A localised mining bee on the wing in late spring and early summer.

A medium sized brown/yellow coloured bee which has a local distribution throughout England. In Staffordshire it has been recorded on a number of heathland sites where it nests along well-trodden paths and abandoned sand quarries. It favours yellow-flowered Asteraceae such as mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella) and common cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata). It tends to be a late spring to early summer species.

A conspicuous small bee characterised by a red band on the abdomen, it is considered to be scarce within the UK. This species collects pollen mostly from speedwells (Veronica spp.) although it has been recorded visiting other plants. There is only one recent record of this species in the county. It flies from early May to early July.

A distinctive medium-sized bee restricted mainly to moorland. It flies from early April to June and is more characteristic of northern Britain. This species collects pollen almost exclusively from bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) although it has been known to visit other flowering sources as well. In Staffordshire, it is present on a number of heathland sites in the north and centre of the County.

Although considered to be a very common species within Britain, there are currently only a few recent records from Staffordshire. It is presumed to be polylectic, visiting a wide variety of flowers. This bee is double-brooded, flying in the spring and from mid summer onwards.

A rare and localised species occurring sporadically throughout Britain. It flies from early July to late September and is known to nest generally in loamy soils on small slopes. It has only been confirmed at two sites in Staffordshire.

A large ginger-brown species common throughout the UK. It is believed to nest in loamy soil and visits a wide variety of pollen and has been found in gardens, woodland, heathland and moorland. It flies from late March to June.

A scarce species, mainly confined to southern and central England with sporadic records from other parts of Britain. It has been recorded on a number of heathland sites in Staffordshire. It is probably monolectic in England, being observed on gorse flowers (Ulex spp.). It flies from the end of April to late June.

A medium-sized species which is commoner in southern England. It is double-brooded, flying both in early spring and at the end of the summer. The first brood feeds from a variety of flowers but the second brood tends to forage only from heather (Calluna vulgaris).

A medium sized solitary bee found in a variety of situations within the UK, but is known to collect pollen almost solely from sallows (Salix spp.). It is a very early spring flier and has currently only been confirmed once in the County (there is additionally an unconfirmed record from the north of the county). This may due to the fact that it flies very early.

An attractive large bee with small white patches on the sides of its abdomen. It is common in central and southern Britain. This bee flies early in the year from late March to mid July and visits a wide variety of flowers.

A very scarce and rare mining bee, now only known from the South of England. Old records for this species come from Cheadle and Lichfield and it is very possible that this species is now extinct in the County.

A widespread and common species throughout the British Isles and in Staffordshire. This small bee has been reported nesting in dry sunny slopes and banks. Although polylectic, it is particularly associated with Veronica chamaedrys and species from the family Apiaceae. It is generally considered to be single-brooded although it has occasionally been known to have a second brood in this Country. Its flight period is from mid May to late July.

A large spring flying bee that is common throughout the UK flying mainly from April to mid July. It is polylectic and is thought to be an important pollinator of apples (Malus spp.). This species nests semi-communally in grassy slopes, along road verges and occasionally in rabbit burrows.

A small bee that is widespread throughout mainland Britain. It is polylectic, visiting a wide variety of flowers and has been recorded from both heathlands and wood-pasture within Staffordshire. In Britain, it is generally single-brooded, flying from mid July to mid August.

A localised species, much more common in the South. This bee tends to be found in a variety of habitats including gardens, roadside hedges and moorland. It is polylectic, foraging from a variety of plants. It flies from April to mid June.

A localised bee throughout Britain. It tends to be found on moorlands and heathlands. In Staffordshire it has been recorded foraging from tormentil (Potentilla erecta) at Pelsall North Common and nesting in a steep south-facing bank of tightly compacted sand and gravel (Wetley Moor). It is not very common in the Midlands being known from only a handful of sites in the region. It flies in summer from June to late August.

An uncommon species that is sparsly distributed in southern England. It has been recorded from heathlands, quarries and gardens where it tends to nest in sandy and gravelly soil. It is an early spring bee flying from March to May and collects pollen from a variety of flowers.

A species considered to be local but widely distributed in Britain. It occurs on coastland, heaths, moorland and woods. It is double-brooded, flying in early spring (when it often is found on Salix spp.) and in mid summer when it can be seen on Rubus spp.

A medium-sized bee often associated with woodland and occasionally, grassland. It is considered to be very local but widely distributed within the UK. It is known to nest in south facing slopes and banks and is polylectic. It is on the wing from late March to June.

A generally common species found throughout the UK. It tends to be more associated with clay soils rather than sandy soils and is often found nesting in woodlands and along hedge-banks. It flies from April to late June.

A large black bee with smoky wings. This bee is very rare within the UK, there currently being only two recent sites; one of which is in Staffordshire. It is thought to have some affinity with broom (males have been noted flying around this plant) although females have also been noted visiting umbellifers. All Staffordshire records refer to Highgate Common.

A medium-sized bee found in a wide variety of situations and seemingly widespread over Staffordshire and the UK. It is sub-social, sterile females being produced later on in the season to help collect nectar. It flies from early spring to late summer.

A small metallic green bee recorded throughout the UK. It is polylectic, collecting nectar from a wide variety of plant species. It flies from early spring to late summer.

A very common bee easily confused with L.calceatum. It is found in a wide variety of habitats throughout the UK and seems to be very widespread in Staffordshire.

A small bee considered to be scarce within the UK. It is found mainly in south of England and in East Anglia although it has also recently been found on one site in the south of the County.

A very common bee easily confused with L.albipes. It is found in a wide variety of habitats throughout the UK and seems to be very widespread in Staffordshire.

A small, metallic green bee widely distributed throughout the UK. It can be found nesting in a variety of situations including earth crevices and stonewalls. Females fly from early April to October; males fly from mid July to October.

A small bee which is more common in the north and west of England. It seems to be relatively widespread in Staffordshire and collects pollen from a variety of sources. In Staffordshire it has twice been seen collecting pollen from tormentil (Potentilla erecta). Females fly from early spring through to autumn. Males can be found in late summer and autumn.

A small mining bee often associated with chalk grassland although it has been recorded from other habitats such as sandpits. It is more widespread in the south of the UK. Females fly from early spring through to autumn. Males can be found in late summer and autumn.

A localised bee that is widely distributed in Southern England but far less common in the midlands and the north. It is generally associated with calcareous grassland and is probably polylectic.

A medium to small-sized bee that is widespread throughout southern Britain. It can be found in a variety of habitats and is presumed to be polylectic. Females fly from early spring through to autumn. Males can be found in late summer.

A ubiquitous species with a widespread county distribution, it is believed to be polylectic although it seems very partial to Potentilla spp. Females fly from early April to October; males fly from July to September.

A small bee widespread throughout the UK. It is polylectic, collecting pollen from a wide variety of flowers. Females fly from May to October; males fly from July to October.

A bee which has been recently reported from Staffordshire. It is widespread and common in the south of England.

A small bee that is very common in the south of Britain and frequent in Staffordshire. It has been found nesting in large aggregations and is presumed to be eusocial with a summer brood of workers. It is also presumed to be polylectic. Females fly from March to October; males fly from late June to late October.