Hairy-footed Flower Bee

Anthophora plumipes

Common & widespread in Britain.

Flies from April-June.

The body is always densely hairy.

Males have most often bright reddish brown or gray hair, while females are usually all black or dark brown.

Furthermore, the Females show reddish orange scopal hairs on the hind tibia.

The middle legs of males are very elongated.

Males are also distinguished from females by having long hairs on its mid tarsi and the integument of the lower face yellow or cream coloured, rather than black.

The long tufts of black hairs on the tarsi (hence the Latin word plumipes) are active during mating, but their precise purpose is unknown.