Stelis phaeoptera
Wing length: 6mm. A small, plain bee that is a cleptoparasite of Osmia leaiana and therefore most often found around their colonies. Tergites are all dark with sparse hairs at the rear margin and with large, well-spaced punctures.
Around Osmeia leaiana nesting colonies and possibly other Megachiline species.
late May to mid August
Was rare but has recently expanded northwards.
Rare but likely to become more common.
Rob Field
Wymondham, Leicestershire
10 August 2023
Rob Field
Wymondham, Leicestershire
10 August 2023
All dark termites with sparse hairs and large well separated punctures
Rob Field
Wymondham, Leicestershire
10 August 2023
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Plain Dark Bee
- Species group:
- Bees, Wasps, Ants
- Kingdom:
- Order:
- Family:
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 2
- First record:
- 10/08/2023 (Rob Field)
- Last record:
- 10/08/2023 (Rob Field)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.