Bare-saddled Blood Bee - Sphecodes ephippius

Similar to several other Sphecodes species and care is needed with the identification.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Occurring in a range of habitats, such as open woodland, heaths, calcareous grassland and coastal sites.

Univoltine; the female flies from late March to late September and the male from mid-July to early October.

The species is probably a cleptoparasite of several species of Lasioglossum, including the common species calceatum, lativentre and leucozonium.

Widespread in southern Britain, being found from the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall to Kent, north to Yorkshire and Cumbria. Also known from Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.