Hairy Legged Mining Bee
Dasypoda hirtipes
This record describes Dasypoda hirtipes (species). Recorded family: Melittidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females are pretty unmistakeable due to the oversized, bright yellow pollen baskets on the hind legs and the banded abdomen. They are fairly large with a body length of about 13mm. Males resemble oversized Melitta leporina males but have two rather than three submarginal wings cells and much longer legs. The hind tibiae have lots of long hairs, but these do not form a dense brush. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed. Very sandy habitats such as coastal dunes, heathland, sandpits, sandy brownfield sites and saltmarsh edge. Univoltine; late June to the end of August or the beginning of September. Nesting occurs in flat, sandy ground, even well-trodden footpaths, where colonies can reach great size. Records are concentrated into south-east England but extend thinly north to north Wales, Staffordshire and Norfolk.
Wikipedia reference for Dasypoda hirtipes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasypoda_hirtipes.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Melittidae
- Genus
- Dasypoda
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Very sandy habitats such as coastal dunes, heathland, sandpits, sandy brownfield sites and saltmarsh edge.
Seasonal Activity
Univoltine; late June to the end of August or the beginning of September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Nesting occurs in flat, sandy ground, even well-trodden footpaths, where colonies can reach great size.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Records are concentrated into south-east England but extend thinly north to north Wales, Staffordshire and Norfolk.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dasypoda hirtipes. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Hairy Legged Mining Bee (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Hairy Legged Mining Bee
What is Hairy Legged Mining Bee?
Hairy Legged Mining Bee (Dasypoda hirtipes) is a species in the family Melittidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Hairy Legged Mining Bee?
of about 13mm. Males resemble oversized Melitta leporina males but have two rather than three submarginal wings cells and much longer legs. The hind tibiae have lots of long hairs, but these do not form a dense brush.
Where is Hairy Legged Mining Bee found?
Habitat: Very sandy habitats such as coastal dunes, heathland, sandpits, sandy brownfield sites and saltmarsh edge.
When is Hairy Legged Mining Bee active?
Hairy Legged Mining Bee: seasonal activity - Univoltine; late June to the end of August or the beginning of September..
What is the life cycle of a Hairy Legged Mining Bee?
Nesting occurs in flat, sandy ground, even well-trodden footpaths, where colonies can reach great size.