Months sighted in garden
Banded dark bee
Stelis punctulatissima
An informal survey of the plant and animal life living in or visiting the grounds of Pointfield, Kelso since 2015
Hymenoptera
Distinctive dark bee robustly built with a sharply defined rear margin to the head. Tergites 1-4 have translucent hind margins, and on tergites 2-4 these overlie creamy-white pigment bands, creating a banded effect that is not seen in any other British Stelis species. Thorax dull due to covering of fine grey hairs. Large dark brown stigmata in wings.