I have seen both female (all black) and male (ginger with 'hairy' feet) Hairy-footed Flower Bees (Anthophora plumipes) busy in the garden on the Dead-nettles, Pulmonaria and Primroses today. I haven't been quick enough to photograph a female but here the male, with the feather-like hairs on their middle legs (“plumipes” means “feathered foot”). The females construct and provision nest burrows in old walls etc. This bee has a characteristic darting and hovering flight plus a high-pitched 'buzz' which contrasts with the ‘booming’ buzz of a bumblebee. Males patrol areas in search for mates and hover behind females to then ‘pounce’ and attempt to mate. The male’s feathery leg hairs are displayed during mating.
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