FAO Robert Brenchley

[katynewbie]

While I was in France we saw the most amazing bees. HUGE and totally black, they loved the ice plants around the garden and did not seem to "buzz" the way our bees do. Just curious to know if this is a standard european species, or are they here too and I have just missed them?!
???

[katynewbie]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Off the top of my head, I'm not sure; the further south you go, the more species there are. My daughter is pestering me to come on this thing, so I'm not sure I'll have the chance to find out tonight. Whereabouts in France was it?

[katynewbie]

It was South West France, the Dordogne, not far from Bergerac. As I said, just curious, so don't go out of your way! Have to say it was the biggest bee I have ever seen...think it had it's own postcode!

;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's unlikely to be one that's also found in the UK then. There are massive bees out there  other than bumbles, but I can't help much.

[redimp]

A selection for ya:

MELITTID BEE


VIOLET CARPENTER BEE

Well - two anyway.

[rosebud]

We saw a bee in Italy a couple of years ago you could have put a saddle on it , it scared the daylights out of me thats for sure. ;D ;D ;D