solitary bees

Our April speaker Pauline, started her talk with a very interesting diversion on an Invasive Species warning about the Australian Flatworm.

• 2cm long, nocturnal, peach on top with cream underneath

• 17 invasive flatworm species in UK, spread through shared compost

• Eat earthworms, cause serious soil damage

• Signs: fewer worms when digging, dead snail shells without thrush holes
  

• Treatment: bleach kills them instantly, use tweezers to handle

• Check under compost bags, slabs, moist areas

• Only use fresh bagged compost, never garden compost for plant sharing

Solitary Bee Ecology & Garden Practices

• 225 UK solitary bee species (90% of all bees), work independently unlike social bees

• Ground nesters most common - create small holes with crumbly soil around edges

• Active now: hairy-footed flower bee (earliest), early bumblebee with yellow bands

• No-dig organic gardening essential - disturbing soil destroys nesting sites

• Bee houses: south-facing, 1+ metres high, well-fixed, spread apart (not clustered)

• Can drill holes in fence posts, tree stumps - various hole sizes needed

• Leaf-cutter bees cut rose leaves in seconds to make cocoons

  
  

Supporting the bees

• Early season plants: snowdrops, lungwort, primrose, lesser celandine

• Let ivy flower if possible - supports ivy bees in autumn

• Wildflowers for poor soil: field scabious, and clover

• Yellow evergreens (choisya, euonymus) provide warming spots for insects

• Leave untouched areas: south-facing slopes, hedge bases, old rodent holes for bumblebees

• Avoid chemicals - use organic practices and buy organic to support regenerative farming

• Trust what bees choose at garden centres - follow them to see preferred plants

  
  

Bee Species & Identification

• Hairy-footed flower bee: earliest species, brown males/black females, currently active on lungwort and primroses

• Early bumblebee: small with orange abdomen, yellow-faced males

• Red mason bee: evolved red abdomen to match bricks, uses solitary bee houses

• Ashy mining bee: grey/black, creates soil aggregations that help wildflowers establish

• Hylaeus: tiniest UK bee, looks like fly but yellow-faced

• Ivy bee: specialist feeder, active on flowering ivy in autumn

Resources & Next Steps

• Facebook groups: Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society; Hampshire Wildlife Trust

• Local biodiversity action plans available (Hampshire BAP, Fareham BAP)

• Stewart's Garden Centre may offer wildflower plant deals

• Check plants mid-afternoon on sunny days to observe bee activity

• Consider organic purchasing to support regenerative farming practices