Solitary Bee

Apis mellifera

Appearance

• Often similar to the honey bee.

Lifecycle

• Colony size - small nests which are individually tended by a female.
• Preferred nest sites - often in soil, sometimes in soft cement and mortar between bricks.
• Nest construction - various materials. Usually a new nest each year.

Habits

• Swarming - does not swarm.
• Overwintering - usually in the pupal stage within the nest.
• Food preferences - honey and pollen.
• Rarely stings.