Wild Pollinators
Honey bees are not the only pollinators out there. In addition to the 20,000 bee species, there are countless numbers of other insects that contribute to the survival of wild endemic species.
We are currently tracking these wild pollinators down one by one and identifying them with the help of local experts and entomology enthusiasts - Stay tuned for updates!
So far our list includes:
We are currently tracking these wild pollinators down one by one and identifying them with the help of local experts and entomology enthusiasts - Stay tuned for updates!
So far our list includes:
- Anthophora plumipes (Hairy-footed flower bee)
- Eristalinus aeneus (Hoverfly)
- Eristalis tenax (Hoverfly)
- Eucera longicornis (Long-horned bee)
- Sphaerophoria philanthus (Hoverfly)
- Xylocopa violacea (Purple carpenter bee)
Anthophora plumipes - Hairy-footed flower bee
Anthophora plumipes is one of the largest genera of the Apidae family. This solitary bee (one of the largest) is found in Europe, North Africa and the Near East. The body of Anthophora plumipes measures between 13 and 15 mm, and is covered with dense hair - usually gray in males and brown or black in females. It is often mistaken for a bumblebee (different genus) but it is able to fly faster in a darting fashion. Males have distinctively longer middle legs than females, which are covered with long tufts of hair. They also have pale yellow faces, as opposed to females' all-black faces (see photos on the right). The females lay eggs in clay slopes, mud walls, or even in the soft mortar of walls, which earns them the common name of "mason bees." Young males emerge before females and are among the first bees to appear in spring - often as early as late February. Although equipped with a stinger, the hairy-footed flower bee is harmless and will only attack in self-defense. It is a solitary bee, feeding on pollen and nectar from early spring flowers such as violets and daffodils, as well as rosemary. Anthophora plumipes lives in soft rock areas with low-growing trees and shrubs. |
Special thanks to Wael Yammine for his help with identification
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Eristalinus aeneus - Hoverfly
Eristalinus aeneus is a member of the Syrphidae family of hoverflies, sometimes called flower flies and common in most parts of the world. There are around 6,000 species of hoverflies worldwide, yet they do not have official common names. The body of Eristalinus aeneus measures between 8 and 12 mm. It is bronze colored, hence its name aeneus (Latin for bronze or copper). It has 4-5 distinctive light grey vertical stripes on its thorax to mimic wasps and ward off predators; however it has no stinger and is completely harmless. On closer observation, its eyes appear intricately spotted. This fly feeds mainly on pollen and nectar, with a preference for yellow composite flowers such as dandelions, chrysanthemums, zinnias, goldenrods and thistles, as well as white umbellifers such as wild carrots, parsnips, dill, fennel, parsley, celery and coriander. The larvae of Eristalinus aeneus feed on decomposing plant and animal material. Eristalinus aeneus lives near freshwater ponds, slow streams or irrigation ditches. |
Special thanks to Wael Yammine for his help with identification
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Eristalis tenax - Hoverfly
Eristalis tenax is a member of the Syrphidae family of hoverflies, sometimes called flower flies and common in most parts of the world. There are around 6,000 species of hoverflies worldwide, yet they do not have official common names. The body of Eristalis tenax measures between 14 and 18 mm. It has a black body with yellow, orange, or reddish stripes that mimic a honey bee. In fact, is sometimes called the drone fly because of its resemblance to a honey bee drone (particularly its holiptic eyes that meet along the head's median line). It has no stinger and is completely harmless. This fly is considered a significant pollinator. It feeds mainly on pollen and nectar, with a preference for yellow flowers, especially wild fennel, mustard, and carrot. Eristalis tenax lays its eggs in moist, decomposing organic matter on which the larva feeds before moving to drier grounds. Up to three generations of Eristalis tenax can occur each year. Eristalis tenax lives near barns or near dense undergrowth. It is extremely territorial and guards flowerbeds and bushes from intruders. |
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Eucera longicornis - Long-horned bee
Eucera longicornis is a member of the Apidae family, which includes honey bees, bumblebees, solitary bees and other smaller groups. There are some 219 species of Eucera long-horned bees in Europe, North Africa, the Near East and Asia. This solitary bee measures between 10 and 13 mm, and is bright yellow with a hairy body. The males of the species have distinctive longer antennae than the females. Females have a short stinger but rarely use it aggressively. The females build nests by digging burrows (usually south-facing) in land with sparse vegetation where they deposit their eggs with pollen provisions. Only females have stingers but will only use them to defend their nest against attackers. Eucera longicornis feeds on pollen and nectar, and is considered an important pollinator of native wild flowers, particularly legumes such as vetch and clover. It has been observed to pollinate wild orchids, particularly the bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) and the late spider orchid (Ophrys fuciflora). The bee mistakes the flower for a member of its own species and attempts to copulate with it, thus gathering and spreading pollen. It also pollinates the early purple orchid (orchys mascula). Eucera longicornis is a fast flier that lives near meadows or cleared woodland. |
Special thanks to Wael Yammine for his help with identification
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Sphaerophoria philanthus - Hoverfly
Sphaerophoria philanthus is a member of the Syrphidae family of hoverflies, sometimes called flower flies and common in most parts of the world. There are around 6,000 species of hoverflies worldwide, yet they do not have official common names. Sphaerophoria philanthus measures between 7.6 mm and 9.6 mm. It has a small, slender body with yellow and black stripes that makes it look like a bee or wasp. Males are recognizable by their sex organs that look like a curved structure under their abdomen, whereas females have a straight abdomen. Males' eyes are also larger and joined across the top of their head. Sphaerophoria philanthus has no stinger and is completely harmless. While Sphaerophoria philanthus feeds on pollen and nectar (especially white and yellow flowers), its larvae are carnivorous and prey on aphids and other pests. Sphaerophoria philanthus lives on leaves in bushes near flowering plants, with a preference for damp locations. |
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Xylocopa violacea - Purple carpenter bee
Xylocopa violacea is a member of the Apidae family, which includes honey bees, bumblebees, solitary bees, and other smaller groups. There are around 500 species of carpenter bees worldwide, so called because they make their nests in dead timber. Xylocopa violacea is one of the largest members of the Xylocopa (wood cutter) genus, reaching a length of up to 25 mm. It is sometimes mistaken for a bumblebee (Bombus genus), but it has an easily recognizable body that is mostly black with a purple glint and wings with a shiny purplish-blue hue that give it its name violacea (Latin for purple). Females use their mandibles to carve tunnels in dead wood, inside which they lay their eggs with provisions. Young adults are born in late summer then, in turn, hibernate the coming winter. The female has a stinger but it will only attack a person or animal if they step on its nest. Carpenter bees are solitary bees that feed on pollen and nectar. In early spring, adults emerge from hibernation and mate. Because of their size and short mouthpart, carpenter bees pollinate mostly large open-faced or shallow flowers. It also pollinates crops like eggplants, squash and zucchini. Xylocopa violacea lives near sunny woodland edges. |
Special thanks to Mira Boustany for her help with identification
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