Lancing Nature | Insects

Bees

Hymenoptera

From industrious bumblebees to overlooked solitary species, the bees of our coastal Lancing gardens display an incredible variety of lifestyles. This page highlights local records ranging from our familiar social pollinators to specialized mining bees and their fascinating, wasp-like 'cuckoo' counterparts. We hope this photographic guide encourages you to slow down, explore their intricate details, and notice the vital insect life supporting our local flora.

Species on this page

Andrena flavipes — Yellow-legged Mining Bee
Andrena scotica — Chocolate Mining Bee
Andrena nitida — Grey-patched Mining Bee
Andrena nigroaenea — Buff Mining Bee
Andrena sp. — Solitary Bee
Apis mellifera — Honey Bee
Bombus pascuorum — Common Carder Bee
Bombus terrestris — Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus lapidarius — Red-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus vestalis — Cuckoo Bumblebee
Anthophora plumipes — Hairy-footed Flower Bee
Osmia caerulescens — Blue Mason Bee
Nomada fucata — Painted Nomad Bee

Andrena flavipes

Yellow-legged Mining Bee

Andrenidae

Recorded: 23.04.2023 & 17.05.2026 Location: Garden
View Species Profile »

Andrena flavipes — Yellow-legged Mining Bee in garden

Andrena flavipes · Yellow-legged Mining Bee · Garden · 23.04.2023

Andrena flavipes — Yellow-legged Mining Bee close-up on flower

Andrena flavipes · Yellow-legged Mining Bee · Garden · 17.05.2026

Andrena sp

Solitary Bee

Andrenidae

Recorded: 06.04.2026 Location: Garden

Andrena sp · Solitary Bee · Garden · 06.04.2026

Andrena scotica

Chocolate Mining Bee

Andrenidae

Recorded: 19.04.2026 Location: Garden

⚠ Andrena scotica suggested by Nick Croker - Facebook group - NHM UK Biodiversity.

Andrena scotica — Solitary Bee in garden

Andrena scotica · Solitary Bee · Garden · 19.04.2026

Buff Mining Bee

Andrena nigroaenea— Confirmation needed

ANDRENIDAE

⚠ Andrena nigroaenea suggested by Mike Kerry - Facebook group - UK Bees, Wasps and Ants - species confirmation from the image would be welcome.

Andrena nigroaenea · Mining Bee · confirmation needed

Mining Bee

Andrena flavipes. — confirmation needed

Andrenidae

⚠ Andrena flavipes is a the suggest identification of Mike Kerry of Facebook group - UK Bees, Wasps and Ants, confirmation welcome

Andrena gravida: positive identification needed

Andrena flavipes or gravida

Mining Bee>

— Garden — 06.05.2026

This appears to be either Andrena flavipes or gravida, difficult to be certain of one of the other

Grey-patched Mining Bee

Andrena nitida.

Andrenidae
24.04.2026

Andrena nitida : distinguished from A. fulva by the smooth hairless abdomen

Andrena nitida: positive identification needed

Apis mellifera

Honey Bee

Apidae

Wikipedia

Apis mellifera · Honey Bee

Bombus vestalis

Cuckoo BumbleBee

Apidae
9.04.2026
View Species Profile »

Bombus vestalis · Cuckoo Bumblebee

Bombus pascuorum

Common Carder Bee

Apidae
7.07.2023

Bombus pascuorum · Common Carder Bee

Bombus terrestris

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Apidae
7.07.2023

Bombus terrestris · Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus lapidarius

Red-tailed Bumblebee

Apidae

Recorded: 28.03.2023 & 26.04.2026
Location: Garden

Bombus lapidarius — Red-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus lapidarius · 28.03.2023

Bombus lapidarius (Worker) — Red-tailed
Bumblebee

Bombus lapidarius (Worker) on Welsh Poppy · 26.04.2026

Anthophora plumipes

Hairy-footed Flower Bee

Apidae

Recorded: 28.03.2026 & 26.04.2026
Location: Garden

Anthophora plumipes — Hairy-footed Flower Bee

Anthophora plumipes (Female)· 28.03.2026

Anthophora plumipes (Male) — Hairy-footed Flower
Bee

Anthophora plumipes (Male) · 26.04.2026

Anthophora plumipes (female) — Hairy-footed Flower
Bee

Anthophora plumipes (female) · 27.04.2026

Osmia caerulescens

Blue Mason Bee

Megachilidae

Recorded: 22.04.2026 Location: Garden Wikipedia

✓ Identified by Ciaran Clark - NHM Biodiversity Facebook Group.

Osmia caerulescens — Blue Mason Bee in West
Sussex garden

Osmia caerulescens · Blue Mason Bee · Garden · 22.04.2026

Description: A small, solitary mason bee. Females are distinct for their dark, metallic blue-black sheen and dense pollen-collecting hairs (scopa) on the underside of the abdomen. They are frequent visitors to garden flowers, particularly those in the pea and mint families. Their presence indicates suitable nesting sites nearby, such as hollow plant stems or "bee hotels."

Nomada fucata

Painted Nomad Bee

Apidae

Note: Nomada fucata is a cleptoparasitic bee — it lays its eggs in the nests of Andrena flavipes (Yellow-legged Mining Bee), also recorded on this page. Finding both species together is a good local record.

Nomada fucata · Painted Nomad Bee : Female 07.05.2003

Nomada fucata — Painted Nomad Bee March 2026

Nomada fucata · Painted Nomad Bee · 18.03.2026
Male

Nomada flava

Yellow-legged Nomad Bee (unconfirmed)

Apidae

Note: Nomada flava is a cleptoparasitic "cuckoo" bee typically found in gardens and woodlands. It targets the nests of Andrena mining bees, particularly Andrena haemorrhoa.

Nomada flava · Yellow-legged Nomad Bee · 03.05.2026
Garden

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