Tiny bumble bee

[glallotments]

This week I was about to take a photo of a poppy growing on our plot when I noticed an insect inside. It looked like a tiny bumble bee. It was the same colouring and had pollen baskets on its legs. It just seemed too small to be a bee. I have seen small bees often but this was exceptional. I guess less than a centimetre long. I can't find any reference to such a small bee on the web. Anyone else seen anything like this and if so do you know what it is?

[peter]

Masonry Bee?

[glallotments]

Could be Peter - thanks
I've looked at a few articles and it could be. The first I read when scanning the web said its range was limited so I ruled it out but now I have read that it is widespread.

Having read some of the articles I think I'll make a bee home for them next year as they seem good bees to have around.

[Geoff]

In "Bits and Bobs No.10" I was told that was what this is, size is right, is it the same?

Bee.jpg (112.62 KiB) Viewed 3373 times

[glallotments]

Could well be Geoff. I have been reading up and have decided to have a go at making a nesting block for next year. The bees sound really lovely, docile and good for pollinating fruit.