The Secret Life of Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella)
Did you know that there are over 270 species of bee in Britain and Ireland, and over 20,000 world-wide? These beautiful, fascinating creatures often go unnoticed and are receive little attention in comparison to the more 'popular' honeybee (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees. But solitary bees are all around us, providing the important ecosystem service of pollination and bringing delight to those who are aware of their existence. Here is a video of just one of the 250+ species of solitary bee found in Britain - Clarke's mining bee (Andrena clarkella).