A guide to British bees Did you know that there are over 250 species of bee in the UK? Use this bee-spotting guide to identify which ones are buzzing around in your garden, local park, or allotment.
Large species with dark yellow bands at the front of the thorax and middle of the abdomen.
Slim, sandy thorax and black abdomen with golden-amber bands.
Identified by their ginger thorax, black abdomen and white tail.
Yellow-black-yellow thorax, a yellow band at the base of the abdomen, and a pure white tail.
These big fluffy bees are the only UK species with allbrown (ginger) colouring and no white tail.
Black with yellowish legs. Males are brown with a pale face and hair plumes on their middle legs.
Yellow spots along abdomen. Males also have prongs on their rear.