European Wool Carder Bee

Description:

Anthidium manicatum is an Old World bee. It has a wingspan of approximately 20 millimetres (0.79 in), with a body length of about 11–13 mm (0.43–0.51 in) for females, and 14–17 mm (0.55–0.67 in) for males. This bee is mostly black and yellow, with some orange fur. There are also some yellow markings present on the legs and sides of the abdomen. The males are substantially larger than females

Notes:

Females collect "down" from such plants as lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina). They scrape the hairs from the leaves and carry them back to their nests bundled beneath their bodies. There it is used as a lining for their nest cavities. This one was collecting from an old build.