Beware flight of ivy bee

PEOPLE are being asked to keep an eye out for a new colonist on its way to Ireland. The ivy bee was first recorded in the south of Britain, in 2001, having crossed the English Channel. It is continuing to move northwards and, according to experts, it’s only a matter of time before it crosses the Irish Sea.

The National Biodiversity Data Centre in Co Waterford, which documents wildlife here, believes this species of bee will arrive here very soon. It flies at this time of year and can be found all over the south coast of England, south Wales, and the London area from September to early November.

About as big as, or slightly larger than, a honey bee, its autumn flight period matches the flowering of its favourite plant, ivy, from which it collects pollen. It nests in south-facing banks of light soil and you might even find it in your lawn, or garden. But the best chance of seeing it is, as the name implies, on ivy. Its back is covered by bright, orange-brown hair and its abdomen is circled by orange-yellow hair bands. It can be mistaken for a wasp, or a honey bee, but closer observation will show it to be a more delicate creature with a flatter abdomen and a brighter-than-usual orange stripe on fresh species.