Dark-winged Blood Bee - Sphecodes gibbus

Body length about 10 mm. Of the 3 large species of Sphecodes, this one lacks the box-head of S. monilicornis: darker red and smokier wings than S. reticulatus. Expert confirmation of id is usually required.

Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field.  All red-rated records should include a photo or set of photos of the specimen, illustrating the key characters taken from a standard key, which should also be referenced (e.g. ‘Falk, 2015’).  The full set of key characters are generally not visible in field photos and photos are rarely sharp enough. To aid in the verification of your records, please include face shot, side, top and wings.  The notes should state whether male or female, and explain how the specimen met the key characters.  Although NS may not be able to identify the species even if these reference photos are provided, the photos will be stored with the record and may allow it be identified in future.   Alternatively, NS will accept records identified by a recognised local or national expert, or that have been identified via BWARS’ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065021433202 .  If you have obtained this advice, please note the name of the person/organisation identifying the record in the ‘determiner’ field (e.g. ‘Stuart Roberts, BWARS Facebook’) rather than just a comment of ‘BWARS Facebook’.

May be present in a wide variety of habitats.

Females may be found between April and September, males between July and September. Early season females are searching for host nests, late season ones are searching for mates or overwintering sites.

The British host is Halictus rubicundus.

Sphecodes gibbus is widespread and locally common in southern Britain with records extending thinly into southern Scotland.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.