Large-headed Resin Bee - Heriades truncorum

Alternative names
Ridge-saddled Carpenter Bee
Description

A small dark-coloured bee with two submarginal cells in the forewing, and a coarsely punctate body.  The resin bees have a distinctive curved ridge on the dorsal surface of the first abdominal segment.  Female have an orange pollen-brush beneath the abdomen.  Nests are made in exisiting holes in dead wood or walls. 

Similar Species

Some smaller mason bes (Osmia), or larger scissor bees (Chelostoma)

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Close examination of a specimen is needed to see the diagnostic ridge on the tergite

Habitat

Grassland, brownfield land, gardens and open sites, usually with Ragwort or other plants in the Asteraceae.

When to see it

Summer

UK Status

It appears to be exanding its range northwards from the south-east

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Ridge-saddled Carpenter Bee
Species group:
insect - hymenopteran
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Megachilidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
14/07/2026 (Field, Rob)
Last record:
14/07/2026 (Field, Rob)

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