Two-coloured Mason Bee - Osmia bicolor
Description
The female of this small (12 mm) bee is particularly attractive, with a black head and thorax and bright gingery hairs covering the abdomen. In the male the ginger is less striking.
Identification difficulty

Habitat
Various habitats.
When to see it
April to July.
Life History
This is a bee that uses vacant snail-shells as nest sites. It uses masticated leaves to build up to five cells inside before camouflaging the shell with grass or dead leaves.
UK Status
Mainly found south of a line between The Wash and the Severn Estuary.
VC55 Status
Infrequent in Leicestershire and Rutland
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015