Large Yellow-face Bee - Hylaeus signatus

A largely black species, the males with a striking pale yellow face.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Generally open habitats, including calcareous grassland, quarries, coastal marshes and beaches, post-industrial sites and private gardens. Most often found at flowers of mignonette and weld.

Univoltine; mid-June to August or September.

Nests have been found in burrows in the vertical faces of compacted soil (both sand and clay), dead woody stems (such as bramble) and in vacated nests of Colletes daviesanus.

Widely distributed throughout much of southern and central Britain but very local and classed as nationally scarce.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.