Red-tailed Blood Bee - Sphecodes rubicundus

A strikingly large Sphecodes. Male has knobbly antennae, (13 segments). Antennae not obviously compressed, and with fairly narrow zones of pubescence. It has a greater area of red in the body than males of other large Sphecodes species. Care is needed with the identification of all Sphecodes species

Sphecodes spinulosus is similar but S. rubicundus lacks a flange at the back of the head, a step on sternite two, and bristles on rear tibiae of that species.

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’.

Found in old, herb-rich meadowland, and soft-rock coastal cliffs and landslips.

Flying several weeks earlier than other males Sphecodes, apart from Sphecodes spinulosus.  It is univoltine, seen from early May to mid-July. The males emerge in the spring rather than late summer or autumn; unusual for halictine bees including most Sphecodes. This flight period is in synchronization with that of the host: Andrena, rather than Lasioglossum or Halictus.

A cleptoparasite of Andrena labialis, with which it is usually recorded.

Nationally Scarce and mainly confined to the southern half of Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.