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Size:
Flight Period: Flies in June and July
Description
Male Wool Carder Bees have the distinguishing row of small lemon-yellow spots on the abdomen. Yellow markings are also present on the legs and face. Females are alike but less brightly marked.and smaller .
Behaviour
Wool Carder males initiate a territory around one or two patches of flowers. Aggressive patrols deter any insect that strays into the patch. the rapid darting chasing the intruding insect off and will on occasions physically engae the intruder to the ground, using 3 prongs on the abdominal tip to crush the threatening intruder. Male Wool Carders will tackle large intruder species.
Females scrape the hairs off plants, as in wool carding . Hairs are utilised to line the nesting hole in walls, timber etc. Hairs are formed into a ball. and carroied of by the female. The choice of Hairy leaved plants such as Lychnis coronaria Lamb's Ear, is essential
At the nest, the female fills cells with pollen collected from plants guarded by the male. Eggs are laid the cells which develop into larvae that feed on the pollen
The following season, in June and July, new males emerge, followed soon after by females.
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